Golden dumplings

Golden Dumpling Cake – a Delight Inherited from Grandma

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Baking Time: 30-40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Number of Servings: 8-10 servings

Golden Dumpling Cake is a recipe full of nostalgia, taking us back to childhood and moments spent in grandma's kitchen. This fluffy cake, filled with sweet and aromatic jam, is not just a simple dessert, but a story of culinary traditions passed down through generations. Surely, each bite will bring warm memories and smiles.

Ingredients:
- 250 g flour for sweet bread
- 50 g butter, melted and cooled
- 50 g granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 20 g fresh yeast
- about 130 ml warm milk
- a pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1 tablespoon rum
- quince jam (or any preferred jam)
- 100 g melted butter
- 100 g ground walnuts
- 50 g granulated sugar (for the walnut mixture)

Step 1: Activating the Yeast
In a 2-liter bowl, start by mixing 20 g of fresh yeast with 50 g of granulated sugar and about 130 ml of warm milk. This step is essential to activate the yeast, so make sure the milk is not too hot; otherwise, the yeast will be killed. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes until a nice foam forms on the surface. This is the sign that the yeast is active and ready to work.

Step 2: Preparing the Dough
Add to the bowl 1 egg, 50 g of melted and cooled butter, vanilla essence, rum, and a pinch of salt. Mix the ingredients well until combined. Now, it’s time to add 250 g of flour for sweet bread. Stir with a wooden spoon for 6-7 minutes. The dough will be quite soft, so do not worry; it is normal not to be able to knead it by hand just yet. Use a spatula to gather the dough from the edges and center it in the bowl.

Step 3: Rising the Dough
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour, or until the dough doubles in volume. This step is crucial for achieving a fluffy and airy cake.

Step 4: Forming the Dumplings
After the dough has risen, sprinkle a layer of flour on the work surface and turn the dough out onto it. Sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough, then roll it out into a sheet about 1 cm thick. Cut the sheet into squares with sides of 5 cm. On each square, place a teaspoon of quince jam or any preferred jam. Gather the edges of the dough to form a dumpling, ensuring that the jam is well sealed inside.

Step 5: Preparing the Baking Dish
Grease a heat-resistant dish or pot well with melted butter. Take each dumpling and dip it in the melted butter, then in the mixture of ground walnuts and 50 g of granulated sugar. Place the dumplings in the dish, leaving a little space between them, as they will rise during baking. After finishing the first row, you can start another one on top.

Step 6: Rising
Pour the remaining butter over the dumplings and sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of walnuts. Let the cake rise for another 30 minutes, during which you can preheat your oven. Preheat the oven to 190°C.

Step 7: Baking
Bake the cake for 30-40 minutes at 180°C, until it becomes golden and beautifully browned. The aroma that will spread throughout the house will make you eagerly await to enjoy it.

Step 8: Serving
After removing the dish from the oven, let the dumplings cool slightly, then serve them warm. They are delicious alongside a cup of tea or coffee, accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which will add a refreshing note.

Helpful Tips:
1. If you don’t have quince jam, you can use any other preferred jam – peach, plum, or berry jam.
2. You can also add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for extra flavor.
3. If you want a healthier version, replace some of the flour with whole wheat flour.
4. Make sure the butter is not too hot when preparing, or it will melt the dough.

Nutritional Benefits:
This cake is a source of carbohydrates from the flour, providing quick energy. The walnuts add healthy fats and protein, while the fruit jam enriches the dessert with vitamins and antioxidants. Although it is a cake, when consumed in moderation, it can be part of a balanced diet.

Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use dry yeast instead of fresh yeast? Yes, you can use 7 g of dry yeast, just make sure to activate it according to the instructions on the package.
- What can I do if I don’t have jam? You can use chocolate or pudding as a filling, and the taste will be just as delicious.
- How can I store the dumplings? They are best enjoyed fresh, but you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.

So, embark on this culinary journey and bring a bit of grandma's magic into your own kitchen. Each step will bring you closer to a perfect golden dumpling cake that will surely be appreciated by the whole family. Enjoy every moment and savor the enticing aroma that will fill your home!

 Ingredients: 250 g flour for sweet bread, 50 g melted and cooled butter, 50 g granulated sugar, 1 egg, 20 g fresh yeast, about 130 ml lukewarm milk, a pinch of salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla essence, a tablespoon of rum, quince jam (or any jam you like), 100 g melted butter, 100 g ground walnuts + 50 g granulated sugar.

 Tags:  cookies golden dumplings milk quince