The sweet bread with Turkish delight, walnuts, and raisins is a delicacy that combines tradition with festive moments, making it a perfect dessert to bring joy to the Christmas table or any other special day. This simple recipe, which does not require intense kneading, will surely become your favorite, and its inviting aroma will fill the house with pleasant memories. Let’s embark together on creating this delicious sweet bread!
Preparation time
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Rising time: 2 hours (in two stages)
- Baking time: 18-20 minutes
- Total: 2 hours and 50 minutes
- Servings: 8-10 servings
Ingredients
For the dough
- 50 g melted and cooled butter
- 300 ml warm milk
- 2 eggs
- 4 tablespoons sugar (+ 1 teaspoon for the yeast if using fresh yeast)
- a pinch of salt
- 1 packet of Dr. Oetker vanilla pudding (40 g)
- 500 g flour
- 1 packet of dry yeast (7 g) or 25 g fresh yeast
For the filling
- 200 g raisins
- 200 g Turkish delight (the recipe originally called for dried apricots, but you can use what you prefer)
- 100 g walnuts, chopped
- 8 tablespoons raspberry jam (or any other preferred jam that complements the filling)
For the glaze
- 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
- juice from 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter/margarine
A brief history
The sweet bread is a traditional preparation that has its origins in Romanian cuisine, but is found in various forms and variations in many cultures. It is a symbol of holidays, often associated with Christmas and Easter. The combination of ingredients such as walnuts, raisins, and Turkish delight gives it a rich taste and a soft texture that delights the taste buds.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Preparing the yeast
If using fresh yeast, mix 25 g of yeast with 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of flour. Add 100 ml of warm milk and let it rise for 15 minutes. If using dry yeast, combine 7 g of yeast with 500 g of flour and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Preparing the dough
In a large bowl, add the yeast mixture (or the dry yeast mixture) and the remaining ingredients for the dough: warm milk, eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla pudding, and melted butter. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous but slightly sticky dough. Add the butter or margarine at the end and knead the dough gently until it becomes elastic and smooth.
Step 3: Rising the dough
Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume. This step is essential for obtaining a fluffy and airy sweet bread.
Step 4: Preparing the filling
Meanwhile, prepare the filling. In a bowl, mix the raisins, diced Turkish delight (or dried apricots), chopped walnuts, and raspberry jam. Make sure all the ingredients are well integrated to achieve a uniform and delicious filling.
Step 5: Shaping the sweet bread
After the dough has risen, divide it into 4 equal parts. Take each part and roll it into a rectangular sheet about 1 cm thick. Spread 2 tablespoons of jam on each sheet, then add the filling of Turkish delight and walnuts. The roll should be tight, but not so tight that it tears the dough.
Step 6: Braiding
After rolling each sheet, use a sharp knife to make a cut down the middle of the roll, going almost to the center. Then, braid the two parts obtained, creating a beautiful and rustic appearance.
Step 7: Second rising
Place the sweet breads in a baking tray lined with parchment paper or greased with butter. Let them rise for another hour so they become even fluffier.
Step 8: Baking
Preheat the oven to 175 °C. Bake the sweet breads for 18-20 minutes or until they turn golden and when you tap them lightly on the bottom, they sound hollow. It is important not to bake them too much, otherwise they will become dry.
Step 9: Glazing
After they have cooled slightly, prepare the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar with lemon juice and melted butter. Generously brush each sweet bread with this glaze, giving them an appetizing shine.
Practical tips
- Sugar and flavor: You can experiment with different types of jam or add flavors such as cinnamon or rum essence to the filling.
- Texture: If you want a softer sweet bread, you can add 50 ml of sour cream to the dough.
- Dried fruits: Instead of raisins, you can use cranberries or candied cherries for a touch of acidity.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use other types of flour? Yes, you can use whole wheat flour or a mix of white flour with rye flour, but you may need to adjust the amount of liquid.
2. How do I store the sweet bread? Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for later use.
3. What drinks pair best with the sweet bread? This sweet bread pairs perfectly with fruit tea, flavored coffee, or even a sweet wine.
Possible variations
- Chocolate sweet bread: Replace the walnut and Turkish delight filling with dark chocolate or chocolate cream.
- Fresh fruit sweet bread: You can add fresh seasonal fruits, such as raspberries or blueberries, to the filling for a fresher taste.
The sweet bread with Turkish delight, walnuts, and raisins is not just a dessert; it is a story of tradition, family, and special moments. Share it with your loved ones and enjoy every bite!
Preparation time
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Rising time: 2 hours (in two stages)
- Baking time: 18-20 minutes
- Total: 2 hours and 50 minutes
- Servings: 8-10 servings
Ingredients
For the dough
- 50 g melted and cooled butter
- 300 ml warm milk
- 2 eggs
- 4 tablespoons sugar (+ 1 teaspoon for the yeast if using fresh yeast)
- a pinch of salt
- 1 packet of Dr. Oetker vanilla pudding (40 g)
- 500 g flour
- 1 packet of dry yeast (7 g) or 25 g fresh yeast
For the filling
- 200 g raisins
- 200 g Turkish delight (the recipe originally called for dried apricots, but you can use what you prefer)
- 100 g walnuts, chopped
- 8 tablespoons raspberry jam (or any other preferred jam that complements the filling)
For the glaze
- 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
- juice from 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter/margarine
A brief history
The sweet bread is a traditional preparation that has its origins in Romanian cuisine, but is found in various forms and variations in many cultures. It is a symbol of holidays, often associated with Christmas and Easter. The combination of ingredients such as walnuts, raisins, and Turkish delight gives it a rich taste and a soft texture that delights the taste buds.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Preparing the yeast
If using fresh yeast, mix 25 g of yeast with 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of flour. Add 100 ml of warm milk and let it rise for 15 minutes. If using dry yeast, combine 7 g of yeast with 500 g of flour and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Preparing the dough
In a large bowl, add the yeast mixture (or the dry yeast mixture) and the remaining ingredients for the dough: warm milk, eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla pudding, and melted butter. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous but slightly sticky dough. Add the butter or margarine at the end and knead the dough gently until it becomes elastic and smooth.
Step 3: Rising the dough
Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume. This step is essential for obtaining a fluffy and airy sweet bread.
Step 4: Preparing the filling
Meanwhile, prepare the filling. In a bowl, mix the raisins, diced Turkish delight (or dried apricots), chopped walnuts, and raspberry jam. Make sure all the ingredients are well integrated to achieve a uniform and delicious filling.
Step 5: Shaping the sweet bread
After the dough has risen, divide it into 4 equal parts. Take each part and roll it into a rectangular sheet about 1 cm thick. Spread 2 tablespoons of jam on each sheet, then add the filling of Turkish delight and walnuts. The roll should be tight, but not so tight that it tears the dough.
Step 6: Braiding
After rolling each sheet, use a sharp knife to make a cut down the middle of the roll, going almost to the center. Then, braid the two parts obtained, creating a beautiful and rustic appearance.
Step 7: Second rising
Place the sweet breads in a baking tray lined with parchment paper or greased with butter. Let them rise for another hour so they become even fluffier.
Step 8: Baking
Preheat the oven to 175 °C. Bake the sweet breads for 18-20 minutes or until they turn golden and when you tap them lightly on the bottom, they sound hollow. It is important not to bake them too much, otherwise they will become dry.
Step 9: Glazing
After they have cooled slightly, prepare the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar with lemon juice and melted butter. Generously brush each sweet bread with this glaze, giving them an appetizing shine.
Practical tips
- Sugar and flavor: You can experiment with different types of jam or add flavors such as cinnamon or rum essence to the filling.
- Texture: If you want a softer sweet bread, you can add 50 ml of sour cream to the dough.
- Dried fruits: Instead of raisins, you can use cranberries or candied cherries for a touch of acidity.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use other types of flour? Yes, you can use whole wheat flour or a mix of white flour with rye flour, but you may need to adjust the amount of liquid.
2. How do I store the sweet bread? Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for later use.
3. What drinks pair best with the sweet bread? This sweet bread pairs perfectly with fruit tea, flavored coffee, or even a sweet wine.
Possible variations
- Chocolate sweet bread: Replace the walnut and Turkish delight filling with dark chocolate or chocolate cream.
- Fresh fruit sweet bread: You can add fresh seasonal fruits, such as raspberries or blueberries, to the filling for a fresher taste.
The sweet bread with Turkish delight, walnuts, and raisins is not just a dessert; it is a story of tradition, family, and special moments. Share it with your loved ones and enjoy every bite!