In the evening, it is essential to sift the flour, ideally about three times, to achieve a fluffy and airy texture. Even though I prefer to sift it only once, it is good to know that this step can influence the quality of the dough. In a bowl, we heat the milk with the entire amount of sugar, adding the preferred essences, which can be vanilla or rum, to provide a more intense flavor. After mixing well, we let the composition cool slightly so that it does not affect the yeast.
We turn on the oven, as it is important for the kitchen to be warm and welcoming. We prepare to make the starter, a crucial step in making the sweet bread. The yeast is dissolved with a teaspoon of sugar, two tablespoons of flour, and another two or three of warm milk. We mix well and let it rise, placing the starter in the middle of the flour mound. When the starter has doubled in volume, it is time to add the entire amount of cooled milk and the five beaten egg yolks, which will enrich the dough with a special creaminess.
Now begins the most interesting part: kneading. It is essential to wet our hands in melted (but cooled) butter, being careful not to pour it directly into the dough. Gradually, with a lot of patience, we knead the dough using our fists and palms, tossing it around for about thirty minutes. This is a stage that requires attention because the dough must become elastic and homogeneous. After we finish kneading, we let the dough rise in a warm environment for 40 minutes, covering it with a clean towel.
After the dough has risen, we divide it into four equal parts, which we stretch by hand on an oiled surface, feeling it become increasingly elastic and pleasant to the touch. Now comes the creative part: we fill each piece of dough with the desired ingredients, whether they are nuts, Turkish delight, chocolate, or jam. We make four rolls, which we braid two by two, forming delicious sweet breads. These are carefully placed in a baking tray lined with parchment paper and greased with oil.
We brush the sweet breads with a mixture of egg yolk and a tablespoon of milk, and then sprinkle a little sugar on top, to achieve a golden and sweet crust. We let the sweet breads rise again until they double in volume, and then we place them in the preheated oven. We bake for about 50 minutes, adjusting the time according to our oven, and eagerly await to enjoy the enticing aroma that will spread throughout the house. In the end, we will have fluffy and delicious sweet breads, perfect to be savored with loved ones.
We turn on the oven, as it is important for the kitchen to be warm and welcoming. We prepare to make the starter, a crucial step in making the sweet bread. The yeast is dissolved with a teaspoon of sugar, two tablespoons of flour, and another two or three of warm milk. We mix well and let it rise, placing the starter in the middle of the flour mound. When the starter has doubled in volume, it is time to add the entire amount of cooled milk and the five beaten egg yolks, which will enrich the dough with a special creaminess.
Now begins the most interesting part: kneading. It is essential to wet our hands in melted (but cooled) butter, being careful not to pour it directly into the dough. Gradually, with a lot of patience, we knead the dough using our fists and palms, tossing it around for about thirty minutes. This is a stage that requires attention because the dough must become elastic and homogeneous. After we finish kneading, we let the dough rise in a warm environment for 40 minutes, covering it with a clean towel.
After the dough has risen, we divide it into four equal parts, which we stretch by hand on an oiled surface, feeling it become increasingly elastic and pleasant to the touch. Now comes the creative part: we fill each piece of dough with the desired ingredients, whether they are nuts, Turkish delight, chocolate, or jam. We make four rolls, which we braid two by two, forming delicious sweet breads. These are carefully placed in a baking tray lined with parchment paper and greased with oil.
We brush the sweet breads with a mixture of egg yolk and a tablespoon of milk, and then sprinkle a little sugar on top, to achieve a golden and sweet crust. We let the sweet breads rise again until they double in volume, and then we place them in the preheated oven. We bake for about 50 minutes, adjusting the time according to our oven, and eagerly await to enjoy the enticing aroma that will spread throughout the house. In the end, we will have fluffy and delicious sweet breads, perfect to be savored with loved ones.
Ingredients
1 kg flour, 2 cubes of fresh yeast, 500 ml full-fat milk, 200 grams of butter, 250 grams of granulated sugar, 5 + 1 egg yolks (the egg whites are frozen and used for other pastries), 1 teaspoon salt, essence, lemon zest, 3 packets of vanilla sugar.