Chocolate, walnut, raisin, and Turkish delight sweet bread

Chocolate, walnut, raisin, and Turkish delight sweet bread

The sweet bread is more than just a simple dessert; it is a symbol of traditions, family moments, and joyful celebrations. With a fluffy texture and a delicious filling, this chocolate, walnut, raisin, and Turkish delight sweet bread will bring a touch of magic to any festive table. In this detailed guide, I will present each step necessary to create this delicacy, sharing some secrets to achieve a perfect result.

Total preparation time: 4 hours (2 hours and 30 minutes for rising, 30 minutes for baking)
Number of servings: 12 slices

Ingredients:

For the dough:
- 1.5 kg of flour (I recommend Grania flour for a fluffy sweet bread)
- 6 eggs
- 150 g yogurt (it will give you a soft texture)
- 200 ml milk (at room temperature)
- Sugar (to taste, I recommend 150 g)
- Vanilla sugar (1 packet)
- 1/2 pack of butter (about 100 g, melted)
- 4-5 tablespoons of oil (for kneading)
- Vanilla and rum essences (1-2 tablespoons)
- Grated lemon zest (optional, for extra flavor)

For the filling:
- 200 g walnut kernels (preferably roasted for a more intense flavor)
- 100 g raisins (soaked in water with rum essence)
- 100 g Turkish delight (cut into cubes)

For the chocolate cream:
- 50 g margarine
- 50 g dark chocolate
- 50 g milk chocolate
- 50 ml liquid cream
- 50 g white chocolate chips
- Optional: 2 tablespoons of cocoa (for a more intense flavor)

For the glaze:
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons of warm milk

The history of sweet bread
Sweet bread is an ancient recipe, appreciated in many cultures as a symbol of abundance and prosperity. Often prepared for holidays, such as Christmas or Easter, sweet bread brings together family and friends. Each housewife has her own recipe, and this chocolate, walnut, raisin, and Turkish delight sweet bread adds a modern and delicious twist to this tradition.

Step by step for a perfect sweet bread

1. Preparing the dough
- Start by sifting the flour into a large bowl. Add the yeast (it can be dry or fresh yeast), gently mixing it into the flour to disperse evenly.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar and vanilla sugar until you achieve a frothy mixture. Add the warm milk, yogurt, vanilla and rum essences, and grated lemon zest.
- Pour this mixture over the flour and gently mix. Gradually add the oil and knead the dough for about 10-15 minutes. If the dough becomes sticky, you can add a little more flour, but be careful not to overdo it. The dough should be elastic and easily detach from your hands.

2. Rising the dough
- Once you have a homogeneous dough, cover it with a clean cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, until it doubles in volume. It is essential not to interrupt this process, as this is where the flavors and texture develop.

3. Preparing the chocolate cream
- In a saucepan, melt the margarine, then add the dark chocolate and milk chocolate. Stir until smooth. Add the liquid cream and white chocolate chips, mixing continuously. If you want a more intense chocolate flavor, you can incorporate the cocoa as well. Let the cream reach room temperature.

4. Assembling the sweet bread
- After the dough has risen, divide it into four equal parts. Roll out the first piece on a floured surface, forming a thin sheet. Spread the sheet with the chocolate cream and add the roasted walnut kernels.
- For the second sheet, roll it out, add the soaked (drained) raisins and cubed Turkish delight. Repeat this process for the other two dough parts, alternating between the chocolate cream and filling.
- Twist each roll to form a spiral sweet bread and place it in a greased sweet bread pan.

5. Final rising
- After arranging the sweet breads in the pan, cover them again with a cloth and let them rise for 20-30 minutes.

6. Baking
- Preheat the oven to 180°C. Meanwhile, mix the egg yolk with the warm milk and brush the sweet breads with this mixture to achieve a golden and shiny crust.
- Bake the sweet breads for 30-35 minutes, or until they turn golden and pass the toothpick test (when the toothpick comes out clean, the sweet bread is done).

Serving and variations
Sweet bread is delicious both warm and cold. I recommend serving it with a fruit tea or a sweet wine to enhance its flavors. You can experiment with different fillings: add macadamia nuts, white chocolate, or even candied fruits for a personalized twist.

Frequently asked questions
- Why did my sweet bread turn out dense?: It may be that you didn’t knead the dough enough or didn’t let it rise sufficiently. Make sure to follow the rising times and that the dough is well kneaded.
- How can I keep the sweet bread fresh?: Wrap it well in cling film and keep it at room temperature. It can be frozen for a longer period, but make sure to let it thaw at room temperature before consuming.

Nutritional benefits
Sweet bread contains protein from eggs and nuts, which are essential for muscle development. Additionally, nuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, while dark chocolate provides flavonoids, which are beneficial for heart health.

I hope this recipe for chocolate, walnut, raisin, and Turkish delight sweet bread brings you not only culinary joy but also unforgettable moments with your loved ones. So, embrace the art of cooking and enjoy every step of this gastronomic adventure!