Mixed filling cake

Mixed filling sweet bread: a delicious and easy-to-make recipe

Sweet bread is a culinary tradition that brings family and friends together during festive moments. With an enticing aroma and a fluffy texture, this dessert has a rich story, deeply rooted in Christmas and Easter customs. Although it may be considered a complex dessert, this simplified recipe, inspired by Catalina Buga, will provide you with a tasty sweet bread without requiring complicated kneading.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Rising time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total: 3 hours
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients for the dough:
- 1 and a half packets of dry yeast
- 600-650 g flour
- 150 g sugar
- 4 packets of vanilla sugar
- 1 vanilla essence
- Grated zest of one orange (or lemon)
- 1 cup of warm milk (250 ml)
- 2 eggs
- 90 g soft butter

Ingredients for the filling:
- 70 g butter
- 1 heaping teaspoon cocoa
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1 rum essence
- 50 g raisins
- 50 g ground nuts
- 30 g chocolate-covered raisins
- 50 g pieces of Turkish delight

Ingredients for brushing:
- 1 egg yolk
- 3 tablespoons milk

Step by step for a perfect sweet bread:

1. Preparing the starter: In a bowl, dissolve 1 packet of dry yeast in warm milk. Add a teaspoon of sugar and mix well. Then, add 300 g of flour and mix until you obtain a homogeneous composition. Cover the bowl with a towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour. If the temperature in the house is low, you can wrap the bowl in a blanket to keep it warm.

2. Preparing the dough: After the starter has risen, add the two eggs, 150 g of sugar, vanilla essence, vanilla sugar, soft butter, and grated orange zest to the bowl. Start gradually incorporating the remaining flour (350 g) until you obtain a soft dough. Cover the bowl again and let it rise for about 1 hour and a half.

3. Preparing the filling: While the dough is rising, you can prepare the filling. Soak the raisins in warm water to hydrate them. In a bowl, cream 70 g of butter with 4 tablespoons of sugar, then add cocoa, rum essence, and ground nuts. Add the drained raisins and chocolate-covered raisins, mixing well to obtain a homogeneous filling.

4. Shaping the sweet bread: Once the dough has risen, sprinkle a little flour on the work surface. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin into a not-too-thin sheet. Spread the filling mixture over the sheet. Evenly distribute the pieces of Turkish delight over the entire surface.

5. Rolling and braiding: Carefully roll the dough, then cut it in the middle without cutting it completely. Braid the two parts over each other to form a beautiful appearance.

6. Baking: Place the sweet bread in a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Let it rest for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 170°C. Brush the sweet bread with the egg yolk and milk mixture, then sprinkle a little sugar on top to achieve a golden crust. Bake for 40 minutes, but be careful: do not open the oven door during baking to prevent the dough from collapsing.

7. Cooling: After the sweet bread is baked, let it cool on a rack or in a draft-free place. I recommend waiting until the next day to slice it, as the flavors will intensify and the texture will be even fluffier.

Useful tips:
- Choosing ingredients: Use quality butter, as it will add a special flavor to your sweet bread. You can also experiment with various fillings, such as chocolate, nuts, or candied fruits, according to your preferences.
- Storage: The sweet bread keeps well in plastic wrap or in an airtight container for a few days. You can gently warm it in the oven or microwave before serving.
- Enhancements: If you want an even more aromatic sweet bread, you can add cinnamon or cardamom to the filling.

Delicious combinations: Your sweet bread pairs perfectly with fragrant tea or a glass of sweet wine. You can also serve it alongside a portion of sour cream or vanilla ice cream for a memorable dessert.

Calories and nutritional benefits: A slice of sweet bread (approximately 100 g) contains about 350-400 kcal. It is a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats due to the ingredients used. Raisins and nuts provide antioxidants and essential nutrients, while the orange zest adds a dose of vitamin C.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use fresh yeast? Yes, you can replace dry yeast with fresh yeast, but you will need to adjust the amount (about 20 g of fresh yeast for each packet of dry yeast).
- What if the dough doesn’t rise? Make sure the yeast is active (check the expiration date) and that you have provided the dough with a warm environment to rise.

I conclude with a personal thought: every sweet bread you make is an opportunity to share joy and love with your loved ones. Don’t be afraid to experiment and put your personal touch on the recipe! Enjoy!