Walnut cake

Nut Roll - a traditional Romanian dessert full of history and flavor

Today, on December 1st, we celebrate Romania's National Day, a special moment that encourages us to remember our traditions and celebrate them with delicious dishes. The nut roll is an emblematic dessert, often prepared for holidays or special occasions. With a rich history and a place of honor on the Romanian table, it was chosen to represent Romania in the Caf Europa initiative in Austria during Europe Day in 2006. Today, I invite you to discover this recipe that will fill your home with enticing aromas and beautiful memories.

Preparation time: 40 minutes
Rising time: 2-3 hours
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total: 3 hours 10 minutes
Number of servings: 8-10 servings

Necessary ingredients:

For the dough:
- 350 g wheat flour
- 40 g sugar
- 1 packet of dry yeast
- 130 ml warm milk
- 80 g soft butter (at room temperature)
- 2 eggs (preferably free-range for a more intense flavor)
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- A pinch of salt

For the filling:
- 100 g ground walnuts
- 1 tablespoon cocoa
- 2-3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 egg white
- 3 tablespoons milk
- rum essence (to taste)
- 40 g raisins

Step by step in preparing the nut roll:

1. Preparing the leaven: In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of sugar, 2 tablespoons of flour, and 130 ml of warm milk. Add the packet of dry yeast and mix. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it rise for about 15-20 minutes, until the leaven doubles in volume. At this stage, the leaven becomes active, which will give the dough a fluffy texture.

2. Forming the dough: In a large bowl, add 350 g of flour, the prepared leaven, 40 g of sugar, the eggs, the salt, and the vanilla sugar. Mix the ingredients with a spatula, then gradually add the remaining milk. Finally, incorporate the soft butter. Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. It is important not to rush this step, as proper kneading activates the gluten in the flour, giving the roll an airy structure.

3. Rising the dough: Cover the dough with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place, away from drafts, for 2-3 hours or until it doubles in volume. An effective trick is to preheat the oven to 50°C, turn it off, and place the covered dough inside.

4. Preparing the filling: In a bowl, beat the egg white with a pinch of salt until it becomes frothy. In another bowl, combine the ground walnuts, cocoa, sugar, rum essence, and the 3 tablespoons of milk. Gently fold in the beaten egg white, mixing lightly from top to bottom. Add the raisins and mix well.

5. Forming the roll: On a floured work surface, roll out the dough into a rectangular sheet about 1 cm thick. Cut thin strips on the short sides, leaving the top part free. Place the filling on the top part, then roll the dough starting from the filled side. Folding the cut strips over the roll will create a braided effect.

6. Placing in the pan: Transfer the roll to a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Let it rise for another 30 minutes in the tray. This step is essential for achieving a fluffy roll.

7. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Brush the roll with an egg yolk for a golden crust. Bake for about 30 minutes or until it becomes golden and passes the toothpick test. It is important not to open the oven in the first 20 minutes of baking to avoid affecting the rising.

8. Cooling and serving: Once the roll is baked, let it cool on a rack. This is the perfect time to prepare a fragrant coffee or hot chocolate to enjoy this special dessert. The nut roll is ideal for breakfast or as a snack between meals.

Useful tips:

- Choose quality ingredients: Flour, butter, and free-range eggs will make a big difference in the final taste of the roll.
- You can customize the filling: Add chocolate, Turkish delight, or candied fruits for a special flavor.
- If you don't have walnuts, try using ground almonds or hazelnuts for a different flavor profile.
- If you want to save time, you can use pre-made nut filling available in stores.

Nutritional information:

One serving of nut roll (about 100 g) contains approximately 350 kcal, providing a good source of carbohydrates and protein. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, being beneficial for heart and brain health.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use fresh yeast instead of dry yeast? Yes, you can use fresh yeast, but you will need to adjust the quantity (about 25 g of fresh yeast for 1 packet of dry yeast).

2. How can I keep the roll longer? Store it in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze it, sliced, to enjoy later.

3. How often can I make this roll? It is a perfect dessert for holidays, anniversaries, or simply to bring joy every day.

4. What can I serve with the roll? It is delicious alongside a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Also, a fruit jam or vanilla sauce will enhance its flavors.

Now that you have discovered the nut roll recipe, all that is left is to try it and enjoy every bite! Enjoy your meal!