Cocoa cake with raisins and Turkish delight

Cocoa, Raisin and Turkish Delight Bread - A Selected Delicacy for Any Season

The bread is a treasure of culinary tradition, a symbol of hospitality and the joy of sharing special moments with loved ones. Regardless of the season, this delicious dish is perfect for enjoying at a festive table, a picnic, or simply with a coffee. In this recipe, we will explore together how to prepare a fluffy bread, rich in flavor and texture, with cocoa, raisins, and Turkish delight that will impress everyone.

Total preparation time: 2 hours and 35 minutes
Preparation time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Number of servings: 10 slices

Ingredients for one bread:
- 500 g flour
- 25 g fresh yeast
- 150 ml warm milk
- 200 g sugar
- 100 ml oil
- 5 eggs (at room temperature)
- A pinch of salt
- For the filling:
- 5 tablespoons of sugar
- 3 tablespoons of cocoa
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla sugar
- Raisins (soaked in red wine)
- Rose Turkish delight (finely chopped)
- Orange and lemon zest (finely chopped, ideally preserved in sugar)

- 1 egg yolk (for brushing)

Step 1: Preparing the starter
The first step is to activate the yeast, so the bread turns out fluffy and airy. In a small bowl, crumble 25 g of yeast and mix it with 150 ml of warm milk and 1 teaspoon of sugar. This mixture will activate the yeast, so we let it rise for 15-20 minutes until it becomes frothy.

Useful tips:
- Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, so as not to kill the yeast.
- A warm place, away from drafts, is ideal for allowing the starter to rise.

Step 2: Preparing the dough
After the starter has risen, add the remaining ingredients to the bowl with yeast: 200 g of sugar, 100 ml of oil, 500 g of flour (to a rain-like consistency), the eggs (adding them one at a time), and the pinch of salt. Mix all the ingredients well, then start kneading. The dough is ready when it becomes soft and no longer sticks to your hands. This process can take about 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: Rising the dough
After kneading, cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until it doubles in volume.

Step 4: Preparing the filling
While the dough is rising, we can take care of the delicious filling. In a bowl, mix 5 tablespoons of sugar, 3 tablespoons of cocoa, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla sugar. These ingredients will give the bread an intense flavor. Then add the red wine-soaked raisins, finely chopped rose Turkish delight, and the orange and lemon zest. Mix all the ingredients well.

Step 5: Shaping the bread
After the dough has risen, grease the work surface with oil to prevent sticking. Stretch the dough with your hands, forming a rectangle. Evenly sprinkle the cocoa, sugar, and filling mixture over the surface of the dough. Then carefully roll the dough into a cylinder, sealing the edges well to avoid leakage of the filling during baking.

Step 6: Rise again
Place the bread in a baking tray lined with parchment paper and let it rise again for 15 minutes. Then brush the surface with 1 beaten egg yolk to achieve a golden and shiny crust.

Step 7: Baking
Preheat the oven to 180°C and bake the bread for about 40 minutes. It is ready when it turns golden and sounds hollow when you tap the bottom lightly. Once cooled, cover the bread with a kitchen towel to keep it moist and fluffy.

Step 8: Serving
After the bread has completely cooled, we can slice it. It is served plain but can be paired with a cup of tea or coffee, which will highlight its flavors. You can also add a spoonful of fruit jam or cream cheese for extra flavor.

Nutritional benefits:
The cocoa, raisin, and Turkish delight bread is a source of carbohydrates and proteins due to the flour and eggs. Raisins are rich in fiber and antioxidants, while cocoa provides beneficial flavonoids for health. However, like any dessert, it is best consumed in moderation, as it has approximately 300 calories per serving.

Possible variations:
Depending on your preferences, you can replace the raisins with nuts or hazelnuts, and the Turkish delight can be swapped for chocolate or candied fruits. You can also experiment with different flavors by adding cinnamon or rum essence to the filling.

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use dry yeast instead of fresh yeast?
Yes, you can use dry yeast, but you will need to adjust the amount (about 8 g of dry yeast is equivalent to 25 g of fresh yeast).

2. How can I keep the bread fresh?
The bread keeps best in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze it for later consumption.

3. What other recipes can I try?
If you like this bread recipe, you can also try other variations, such as nut bread or chocolate bread.

I wish you great success in making this cocoa, raisin, and Turkish delight bread! Each step of the cooking process is an opportunity to enjoy and create delicious memories. Enjoy your meal!