Sweet bread with Turkish delight and raisins

Cozonac with Turkish delight and raisins - a traditional delicacy, perfect for any occasion! This soft and fragrant cozonac, filled with sweet Turkish delight and raisins, is a wonderful choice to enjoy with loved ones. Next, I will guide you step by step in preparing this quick dessert, providing you with useful tips and information about the ingredients to achieve a perfect result.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Number of servings: 10-12

Ingredients

- 600 g flour
- 30 g fresh yeast
- 2 eggs
- 100 g sugar
- 230 ml milk
- 3 packets of vanilla sugar
- 60 ml oil (preferably sunflower oil)
- Grated zest of one orange (about one tablespoon)
- Grated zest of one lemon (about one tablespoon)
- A pinch of salt
- 300 g Turkish delight (cut into cubes)
- 100 g raisins
- One egg yolk for brushing

Recipe history

Cozonac is a baked product that has traversed generations, being an integral part of culinary traditions. From holiday meals to family gatherings, cozonac is a symbol of good taste and hospitality. This simple yet flavorful recipe brings together the favorite ingredients of many: Turkish delight and raisins. They provide both sweetness and a pleasant texture, making cozonac an excellent choice for any time of the day.

Step by step: Cooking cozonac

1. Activating the yeast
Start by activating the yeast. In a small bowl, combine 100 ml of lukewarm milk (not hot, to avoid killing the yeast), a teaspoon of sugar, and a tablespoon of flour. Mix well and let it sit for 10-15 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.

2. Preparing the dough
In a large bowl, sift 600 g of flour, add a pinch of salt, and the grated zest of the orange and lemon. These flavors will give your cozonac a unique taste.
Add the activated yeast to the flour, followed by the beaten eggs. Mix well with your hands until the ingredients combine.

3. Incorporating the liquids
Next, gradually pour in the remaining warm milk, in which you have dissolved the sugar and vanilla sugar. Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes until it becomes elastic and no longer sticks to your hands.
Finally, gradually add the oil and continue kneading until it is completely incorporated.

4. Letting the dough rise
Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm place, away from drafts, for 1-1.5 hours or until it doubles in volume.

5. Preparing the filling
While the dough is rising, prepare the filling: cut the Turkish delight into small cubes and roll them in powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Hydrating the raisins is important; so, put them in a bowl with warm water for about 15 minutes.

6. Shaping the cozonac
After the dough has risen, divide it into four equal parts. On an oiled surface, roll each piece of dough into a thin sheet.
On two of the sheets, add the Turkish delight and on the other two, the raisins. Roll each sheet to form a log. You can combine the sheets with different fillings, so you have one cozonac with Turkish delight and one with raisins.

7. Second rising
Place the shaped cozonaci in a greased baking tray and let them rise again for 30 minutes. This step is essential for achieving a fluffy cozonac.

8. Baking
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Before placing them in the oven, brush the cozonaci with beaten egg yolk mixed with a tablespoon of milk, to achieve a golden and shiny crust.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until they turn golden brown and some may emit a hollow sound when tapped on the bottom.

9. Cooling and serving
After baking, let the cozonaci cool in the tray for 10 minutes, then remove them from the tray and transfer them to a rack to cool completely.
Slice after they have cooled and serve with a glass of cold milk. This cozonac is also perfect to be accompanied by a cup of aromatic tea or coffee.

Useful tips:

- Dough maintenance: Make sure the ingredients are at room temperature to achieve an even dough.
- Rising: A warm and humid place is ideal for the dough rising. Avoid drafts.
- Filling variations: You can add chocolate or chopped nuts to the filling to diversify the flavor.

Nutritional information

Cozonac with Turkish delight and raisins is a good source of carbohydrates, providing quick energy. The flour provides fiber, and the raisins add antioxidants and B vitamins.

Whether you prepare it for holidays or simply to indulge yourself, cozonac with Turkish delight and raisins will always bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. Enjoy!