Moldavian Transylvanian Sweet Bread

Moldovan-Ardeal Sweet Bread: A Traditional Recipe Full of Flavor and Memories

The sweet bread is more than just a simple dessert; it is a tradition that connects us to the beautiful moments of childhood and family festive meals. This recipe for Moldovan-Ardeal sweet bread, adapted and improved over time, will bring not only delicious flavors to your table but also the warmth of dear memories. Start your culinary journey with us and be surprised by the final result.

Preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 1 hour
Total time: 2 hours
Number of servings: 4 sweet breads

Ingredients:
- 1 kg high-quality white flour
- 200 g granulated sugar
- 8 egg yolks
- 200 g butter (melted and cooled)
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- Zest of one lemon
- Zest of one orange
- 2 packets of vanilla sugar
- Vanilla and rum essence (to taste)
- 330 ml milk
- 160 ml buttermilk
- 60 g fresh yeast
- 50 ml oil
- Brown sugar for sprinkling on top

Preparation:

1. Preparing the ingredients: The night before you start cooking, I recommend preparing all the ingredients. Place them on your kitchen counter at room temperature to better integrate into your dough. It is essential that all ingredients, especially the milk, are brought to the same temperature to activate the yeast.

2. Scalding the flour: In a heat-resistant bowl, place 100 g of flour and pour 200 ml of boiling milk over it. Mix quickly until there are no lumps. Spread the mixture on the bottom of the bowl and let it cool. This step is important as it helps develop the texture and flavors of the sweet bread.

3. Activating the yeast: In a small bowl, crumble the yeast with a teaspoon of granulated sugar. Add this mixture over the scalded flour, but ensure that the mixture is nearly cool. Let the yeast rise for another 15 minutes near a heat source, such as a preheated oven at a low temperature.

4. Preparing the wet mixture: In a blender, combine the egg yolks, sugar, buttermilk, the remaining sweet milk, melted (but cooled) butter, lemon and orange zest, as well as the vanilla sugar. Blend well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.

5. Combining the ingredients: After the starter has risen, pour the mixture from the blender over it. Mix well and then add the sifted flour (sifting helps aerate the flour). You can mix by hand or use a bread machine, setting it to the kneading program for 1 hour.

6. Adding the raisins: After the dough has been kneaded, remove it from the machine, add the raisins and the 50 ml of oil. Fold the dough, beating it with the back of your palm until all the oil is incorporated. Let it rise for another 15 minutes.

7. Shaping the sweet bread: Work the dough on a greased countertop, not with flour. Divide the dough into 4 equal parts. You can choose to fill it with a mixture of nuts and cocoa or Turkish delight, depending on your preferences. If you choose the walnut and cocoa filling, mix 200 g of ground walnuts with 100 g of cocoa and 100 g of sugar. Roll out each piece of dough, add the filling, roll it up, and then braid the rolls in 3.

8. Rising the sweet bread: Place the sweet breads in trays lined with baking paper. Brush the surface with a beaten egg and let them rise for 30 minutes on the stove, covered with a towel. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to maximum, leaving the door open to create a warm environment.

9. Baking: After the sweet breads have risen, do not open the oven door for 25 minutes. After this time, brush again with egg and sprinkle brown sugar on top. Bake the sweet breads for 60 minutes until golden and fluffy.

10. Cooling and serving: Remove the sweet breads from the oven and wrap them in thick towels, allowing them to cool warm. This step will maintain internal moisture, resulting in a soft and fluffy sweet bread.

Practical tips:
- Flour: Choose a quality flour for the best results. Ideally, you should use type 650 flour, which is richer in gluten.
- Yeast: Ensure that the yeast is fresh; otherwise, the sweet bread will not rise properly.
- Filling: You can experiment with various fillings, such as chocolate, dried fruits, or even caramel.

Nutritional benefits: The sweet bread is a good source of carbohydrates, due to the flour and sugar, but also of proteins, due to the eggs. When consumed in moderation, it can be a delicacy that brings joy to the festive table.

Frequently asked questions:

- What can I do with leftover dough? You can make rolls or muffins using the same dough.
- How can I keep the sweet bread fresh? You can wrap it in plastic wrap or baking paper and store it in an airtight container.

Serving: The sweet bread can be served plain, alongside a cup of coffee or aromatic tea. An interesting idea is to prepare it as a gift for loved ones, beautifully packaged in personalized gift boxes.

This Moldovan-Ardeal sweet bread recipe will not only fill your home with enticing aromas but will also bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. Don't hesitate to put your personal touch on this traditional recipe and share it with everyone who appreciates the authentic taste of homemade goodness. Enjoy!