Baigli - Hungarian Sweet Bread

Baigli - Hungarian Sweet Bread with Walnut and Poppy Seed Filling

Who doesn’t love the smell of freshly baked bread? Certainly, Baigli is one of those desserts that reminds us of warm and loving moments from childhood. This Hungarian sweet bread, filled with walnut and poppy seeds, is perfect for enjoying with loved ones, especially during holidays or special occasions. I had been thinking about making it for a long time, and after trying Jamila’s recipe, I can honestly say that the result was absolutely delicious. Let’s embark on this culinary adventure!

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 35-40 minutes
Total Time: 60-70 minutes
Servings: 2 loaves

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 500 g flour
- 70 g sugar
- 7 g dry yeast
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 200 g butter (at room temperature)
- 150 ml lukewarm milk
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of one lemon

For the walnut filling:
- 250 g ground walnuts
- 70 g sugar
- 100 ml milk
- Lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the poppy seed filling:
- 250 g ground poppy seeds
- 70 g sugar
- 100 ml milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For brushing:
- 1 egg

Preparing the Dough

1. Sifting the Flour: Start by sifting the flour into a large bowl. This step will not only improve the texture of the dough but also help aerate it.

2. Incorporating Dry Ingredients: Add the dry yeast and salt. Mix gently to combine the dry ingredients. Next, add the cubed butter, which should be at room temperature. Use your fingers to incorporate it until you achieve a texture similar to sandy flour.

3. Adding Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the lukewarm milk, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and knead well for about 5 minutes, until the dough becomes elastic and smooth.

4. Resting the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This step is essential for achieving a perfect sweet bread, as it helps to firm up the butter, resulting in a tender texture.

Preparing the Fillings

Walnut Filling:
1. Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat, add the sugar, and let it simmer until fully dissolved.
2. Remove the pot from heat and pour the warm milk over the ground walnuts. Add the lemon zest and vanilla extract, mixing well to create a smooth mixture.

Poppy Seed Filling:
1. Follow the same steps as for the walnut filling: heat the milk with the sugar until dissolved.
2. Pour the hot milk over the ground poppy seeds, add the lemon zest and vanilla extract, mixing well until you have a thick filling.

Assembling the Baigli

1. Dividing the Dough: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide it into two equal parts. One part will be used immediately, while the other can be kept in the refrigerator.

2. Rolling Out the Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a thin rectangle. Ensure that the sheet is even for a beautiful loaf.

3. Adding the Filling: Spread the walnut filling evenly over the entire surface of the dough, leaving 2-3 cm edges uncovered. Once the filling is distributed evenly, fold the side edges over the filling and roll the dough tightly to form a log. Finally, brush the edge with egg white to seal it well.

4. Repeat with the second part: Do the same with the second half of the dough, using the poppy seed filling.

Baking the Baigli

1. Preparing for the Oven: Place the loaves on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Brush them with egg yolk and refrigerate for 10 minutes until the yolk dries.

2. Applying the Egg White: After 10 minutes, brush the loaves again, this time with egg white, and leave them in the refrigerator for another 10 minutes.

3. Preparing for Baking: Poke the loaves with a toothpick in several places to prevent cracking during baking. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.

4. Baking: Place the loaves in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and with a crispy crust.

5. Cooling: After baking, let them cool completely before slicing. This step is crucial; if you cut them too early, they will crumble.

Serving Suggestions

Baigli is delicious served with a cup of tea or coffee, but it can also be enjoyed with a glass of warm milk. If you want to add a personal touch, you can sprinkle powdered sugar on top before serving. It is also excellent the next day when the flavors have melded even better.

Helpful Tips

- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting to achieve a smooth dough.
- You can experiment with different fillings, such as chocolate or dried fruits, to give your recipe a personal touch.
- If you don’t have ground poppy seeds, you can buy them or grind them at home using a blender or grinder.

Nutritional Benefits

Baigli is a delicious choice packed with nutrients, thanks to its content of nuts and seeds. Walnuts are rich in essential fatty acids, proteins, and antioxidants, while poppy seeds contribute important minerals such as calcium and iron. Each serving contains approximately 280-320 calories, depending on the filling and slice size.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use other types of flour? Yes, you can experiment with whole wheat or gluten-free flour, but you will need to adjust the amount of liquids.
2. How can I keep Baigli fresh? I recommend wrapping it well in plastic wrap or storing it in an airtight container at room temperature, preferably in a cool place.

Now that you have all the necessary information, it’s time to get to work! Your Baigli will surely become the star of festive meals, and each slice will bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. Enjoy cooking!