Baigli - Unleavened Sweet Bread with Poppy Seeds or Walnuts
Baigli is a traditional Hungarian recipe that brings a touch of magic to any celebration. This unleavened sweet bread, filled with poppy seeds or walnuts, is an excellent choice for quick desserts as well as festive meals. With a tender texture and a rich filling, Baigli is sure to become your family's favorite.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 30-40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 8-10
Ingredients:
For the dough:
- 500 g flour
- 200 g butter (at room temperature)
- 100 g sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 packet of baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- 100 ml lukewarm milk
For the poppy seed filling:
- 200 g ground poppy seeds
- 100 g sugar
- 200 ml milk
- Grated zest of one lemon
For the walnut filling:
- 200 g ground walnuts
- 100 g sugar
- 200 ml milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For brushing:
- 1 egg (for a golden color on the sweet breads)
Instructions:
1. Preparing the dough:
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Add the soft butter and rub it with the dry ingredients until you achieve a texture similar to fine sand. Gradually add the eggs and lukewarm milk, mixing until the dough becomes smooth. Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes. This step will make the dough easier to work with.
2. Preparing the filling:
For the poppy seed filling, bring the milk to a boil in a saucepan, add the ground poppy seeds, sugar, and lemon zest. Simmer on low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes creamy. Let it cool. If you prefer the walnut filling, follow the same instructions but add vanilla extract instead of lemon zest.
3. Assembling the sweet breads:
Once the dough has cooled, divide it into two equal parts. On a floured work surface, roll each piece of dough into a rectangle about 30x40 cm. Spread the filling over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a 1-2 cm border on all sides. Roll the dough tightly, starting from one short side, to form a log.
4. Baking:
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the sweet breads on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Beat the egg and brush the surface of each sweet bread to achieve a golden and shiny crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until golden and sounding hollow when tapped lightly.
5. Serving:
Allow the sweet breads to cool on a cooling rack. Slice them thickly and enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee. A delicious suggestion is to sprinkle them with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant look and an extra touch of sweetness.
Possible variations:
- You can experiment with different fillings, such as chocolate, jam, or dried fruits, to add a personal touch to your recipe.
- If you want a healthier version, replace sugar with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Baigli is more than just a sweet bread; it is a recipe that brings people together, perfect for celebrating special moments in your life. Try this simple and quick recipe and enjoy the authentic flavors of Hungarian tradition!
Baigli is a traditional Hungarian recipe that brings a touch of magic to any celebration. This unleavened sweet bread, filled with poppy seeds or walnuts, is an excellent choice for quick desserts as well as festive meals. With a tender texture and a rich filling, Baigli is sure to become your family's favorite.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 30-40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 8-10
Ingredients:
For the dough:
- 500 g flour
- 200 g butter (at room temperature)
- 100 g sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 packet of baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- 100 ml lukewarm milk
For the poppy seed filling:
- 200 g ground poppy seeds
- 100 g sugar
- 200 ml milk
- Grated zest of one lemon
For the walnut filling:
- 200 g ground walnuts
- 100 g sugar
- 200 ml milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For brushing:
- 1 egg (for a golden color on the sweet breads)
Instructions:
1. Preparing the dough:
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Add the soft butter and rub it with the dry ingredients until you achieve a texture similar to fine sand. Gradually add the eggs and lukewarm milk, mixing until the dough becomes smooth. Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes. This step will make the dough easier to work with.
2. Preparing the filling:
For the poppy seed filling, bring the milk to a boil in a saucepan, add the ground poppy seeds, sugar, and lemon zest. Simmer on low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes creamy. Let it cool. If you prefer the walnut filling, follow the same instructions but add vanilla extract instead of lemon zest.
3. Assembling the sweet breads:
Once the dough has cooled, divide it into two equal parts. On a floured work surface, roll each piece of dough into a rectangle about 30x40 cm. Spread the filling over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a 1-2 cm border on all sides. Roll the dough tightly, starting from one short side, to form a log.
4. Baking:
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the sweet breads on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Beat the egg and brush the surface of each sweet bread to achieve a golden and shiny crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until golden and sounding hollow when tapped lightly.
5. Serving:
Allow the sweet breads to cool on a cooling rack. Slice them thickly and enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee. A delicious suggestion is to sprinkle them with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant look and an extra touch of sweetness.
Possible variations:
- You can experiment with different fillings, such as chocolate, jam, or dried fruits, to add a personal touch to your recipe.
- If you want a healthier version, replace sugar with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Baigli is more than just a sweet bread; it is a recipe that brings people together, perfect for celebrating special moments in your life. Try this simple and quick recipe and enjoy the authentic flavors of Hungarian tradition!