Cheese Easter Bread and Chocolate Easter Bread

Cheese and Chocolate Easter Bread – a traditional recipe with a delicious twist

Easter bread is an iconic dessert, often associated with holidays and celebrating special moments with family. This recipe combines the classic taste of cheese with a decadent note of chocolate, offering a perfect balance between tradition and innovation. Whether served at festive meals or as a delightful dessert on an ordinary day, cheese and chocolate Easter bread is sure to win the hearts of all.

Preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 45-60 minutes
Total: 1 hour and 60 minutes
Number of servings: 10 servings

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 1 kg of flour (it is essential to use good quality flour for a fluffy dough)
- 150 ml of lukewarm milk
- 100 g of melted butter
- 4 eggs (3 for the dough and 1 for brushing)
- 100 g of sugar
- 25 g of fresh yeast (or 7 g of dry yeast)
- A pinch of salt
- Grated zest of 1 lemon (adds a fresh aroma to the dough)

For the cheese filling:
- 125 g of cottage cheese
- 250 g of soft cheese (like sheep cheese or cream cheese)
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- 1 packet of vanilla pudding powder
- 50 g of sugar

For the chocolate filling:
- 125 g of cottage cheese
- 250 g of soft cheese
- 100 g of chocolate (preferably with a cocoa content of 50-70%)
- 100 g of sugar

Instructions

1. Preparing the dough

Start by activating the yeast. In a small bowl, combine 150 ml of lukewarm milk with 1-2 tablespoons of sugar and the yeast. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes until it becomes frothy. This step is crucial to ensure that the dough rises beautifully.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, lemon zest, and the remaining sugar. Make a well in the center and add the beaten eggs, melted butter, and the yeast mixture. Knead the dough well for 10-15 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. If it is too sticky, you can add a little flour.

2. Letting it rise

Form the dough into a ball and place it in a bowl greased with a little oil. Cover it with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume.

3. Preparing the fillings

While the dough is rising, you can prepare the fillings.

For the cheese filling:
In a bowl, mix the cottage cheese with the soft cheese. Add the lemon zest, vanilla powder, and sugar. Mix the ingredients well until you get a homogeneous composition.

For the chocolate filling:
Melt the chocolate in the microwave, being careful to stir it every 30 seconds to avoid burning. Once melted, add it to the mixture of cottage cheese and soft cheese. Sweeten with sugar and mix well until you obtain a smooth chocolate cream.

4. Assembling the Easter bread

After the dough has risen, divide it into three equal parts. Start with the first portion and roll out a thin sheet, which you will place in a greased 26 cm round baking dish (a tart pan is ideal). Trim any excess edges.

Pour the cheese filling into the dish and use the remaining dough to form a thin ring around the edge of the Easter bread. Beat an egg with a little water and brush the entire Easter bread, including the ring. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on top for added flavor.

Proceed similarly with the chocolate filling, placing it over the dough in the dish.

5. Baking

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Place the Easter bread in the oven and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until it is golden and firm. You can check with a toothpick if it is ready – if it comes out clean, the bread is perfectly baked.

6. Chocolate rolls

From the last portion of dough, roll out a sheet and cut triangles. Spread them with the remaining chocolate cream and roll them up like croissants. Brush with egg and sprinkle a little cinnamon on top, then bake them together with the Easter bread.

Serving and combinations

Let the Easter bread cool before cutting it into portions. It is delicious served plain, but you can accompany it with a fruit sauce or vanilla ice cream for a pleasant contrast. It also pairs perfectly with fruit tea or aromatic coffee.

Useful tips

- Choosing cheese: The cottage cheese should be fresh and easy to mix. If it is too wet, you can drain it a little before use.
- Sweetening: Adjust the amount of sugar according to your preferences and the sweetness of the chocolate used.
- Variations: You can experiment with flavors by adding almond essence or orange flavor to the filling.
- Storing: The Easter bread keeps well in the refrigerator for a few days, and the taste improves the next day.

Nutritional benefits

This cheese and chocolate Easter bread is not only delicious but also a good source of calcium due to the cheese, making it a healthier option compared to other desserts that are very high in sugar. A medium portion can contain about 300 calories, depending on the ingredients used, but provides a good intake of protein and essential nutrients.

Whether you prepare it for a special occasion or simply to treat yourself, this cheese and chocolate Easter bread recipe will surely delight you. Enjoy cooking and savoring this delicacy!