Jam and walnut braid for Lent

I made this recipe because I had some leftover blackberry jam and a bag of ground walnuts. I didn't want anything complicated, just a simple vegan cake, without too much hassle. The dough comes together easily, it doesn’t stick, and it doesn’t need much kneading. It’s the kind of quick dessert for days when you want something sweet but don’t feel like elaborate recipes. Quick Info Total time: 45-55 minutes Preparation time: 20-25 minutes Baking time: 25 minutes Servings: 1 standard tray (approx. 12 slices) Difficulty: easy Recipe type: vegan, dessert Ingredients For the dough: - 1 cup warm water - 6 tablespoons sugar - 10 tablespoons oil - 1 teaspoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon ammonium for baking (dissolved in vinegar) - 1 packet vanilla sugar - flour as needed (to make an elastic, non-sticky dough) For the filling: - blackberry jam (or any fruit jam of your choice) - ground walnuts Instructions 1. In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, oil, baking powder, ammonium dissolved in a little vinegar, and vanilla sugar. Mix quickly with a spoon until the sugar dissolves somewhat. 2. Start adding flour gradually. First mix with the spoon, then with your hands, until you get a homogeneous, elastic dough that doesn’t stick to your hands. It doesn’t need long kneading. 3. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to a moderately thick sheet (about 0.5-1 cm). 4. Spread the sheet with blackberry jam, covering it as evenly as possible, but without letting it run. Sprinkle the ground walnuts on top, as much as you think is enough. I don’t measure, just make sure there’s a visible layer without overdoing it. 5. Carefully roll the dough like a roulade, or braid it in two, depending on how it turns out and how much energy I have for shaping. 6. Transfer the braid to a baking tray lined with parchment paper. 7. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 25 minutes, until it is lightly browned on top. 8. Remove from the oven, let it cool in the tray for a few minutes, then cut it into slices. Why I make this recipe often I like that it doesn’t have complicated ingredients and can be made with whatever I quickly find in the kitchen. I don’t spend much time on the dough, don’t dirty many dishes, and can use any jam I have on hand. It keeps well for two to three days without drying out. Ideal for vegan snacks or when I want something sweet but don’t feel like anything sophisticated. Tips and variations Tips If the jam is too runny, mix it with the walnuts beforehand so it doesn’t run during baking. The dough should be soft but not sticky. Substitutions Vanilla sugar can be omitted or replaced with a bit of lemon zest. The jam can be made from plums, apricots, apples, whatever you have on hand. The walnuts can be left out if you don’t have any. Variations It can also be made in the form of small rolls instead of a single braid. The blackberry jam can be swapped for any other jam without large fruit pieces. Serving ideas Cut into slices after it has completely cooled. It goes well on its own, with coffee or tea. Frequently asked questions 1. What can I substitute for the ammonium for baking if I don’t have it? - If you don’t have ammonium, you can use a little baking soda dissolved in vinegar, but the taste and texture won’t be as airy. 2. Does the dough need to rise before baking? - No, it doesn’t need to rise. It bakes as soon as it’s ready. 3. Can I use jam with fruit pieces? - Yes, but it’s best to homogenize it so that there aren’t large gaps in the dough. 4. Can I freeze the braid? - I don’t recommend it, the texture changes and it can become dry upon thawing. 5. Is it mandatory to braid it or can I just leave it as a simple roulade? - It’s not mandatory to braid. You can just roll it tightly, the result will still be good. Nutritional values Approximately, one slice (out of 12) has around 150-180 kcal. The dough has about 30-35 g of carbohydrates, 4-5 g of fat, and 2-3 g of protein per serving. Values depend on the type of jam and the amount of walnuts used. It is a moderately caloric dessert for a vegan treat. Storage and reheating It keeps well at room temperature, covered with foil or in a plastic container, for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend reheating in the oven, it dries out. It’s best enjoyed at room temperature.
Tags
Categories

Appetizers

Beverages

Celebrity chefs

Chef in the city

Children

Coffee

Conserve

Cook and smile

Culinary Games

Culinary School

Dessert

Diverse

Doughs and pastries

Drinks

Fish

Healthy Delights

International

Jakob Hausmann

Jam

Jamie Oliver

Meat

Miscellaneous

Over

Pasta/Pizza

Pickles

Plague

Salad

Sandwiches

Sauces

Savory

Season

Sezon

Slow cooking

Soups

Star Recipe

Syrup

Translated

Various

Vegan



