Festive bread

Festive Bread: A Delight that Combines Tradition with the Joy of Cooking

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Rising Time: 2 hours
Baking Time: 40 minutes
Total: 2 hours and 60 minutes
Number of Servings: 8 servings

Festive bread is more than just a food item. It is a symbol of reunion, joy, and celebrations spent with loved ones. This bread recipe is easy to make and will fill your home with an inviting aroma, bringing smiles and beautiful memories. Additionally, it is a versatile recipe, perfect to be enjoyed alongside a variety of main dishes or as a sweet treat, spread with butter and jam.

Necessary Ingredients:

- 25 g fresh yeast
- 250 ml lukewarm milk
- 500 g wheat flour (preferably type 650)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 lightly beaten eggs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or sunflower oil)
- 100 g melted and cooled butter

Details about the Ingredients:

1. Fresh yeast: Essential for achieving fluffy bread. Ensure it is fresh and active. You can check this by dissolving it in lukewarm water with a little sugar; if it forms foam, it is ready to use.

2. Lukewarm milk: The milk should not be hot, just lukewarm, to activate the yeast without killing it.

3. Flour: Choose a good quality flour that will provide the necessary structure to the dough.

4. Sugar: Helps activate the yeast and adds a slight sweetness to the dough.

5. Salt: Essential for enhancing the flavor of the bread, but should not be added directly in contact with the yeast at the beginning.

6. Oil: Contributes to the soft texture of the dough.

7. Butter: Adds a rich flavor and a velvety texture.

Preparing the Festive Bread:

1. Preparing the dough: Start by sifting the flour into a large bowl. This step is essential to avoid lumps and achieve an even dough.

2. Activating the yeast: Dissolve the fresh yeast together with the sugar in 100 ml of lukewarm milk. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This is a crucial step, as active yeast will ensure the bread rises well.

3. Forming the dough: Make a well in the center of the flour and add the salt, the remaining lukewarm milk, oil, beaten eggs, and the yeast mixture. Using a spatula or your hands, mix the ingredients until you obtain an elastic and homogeneous dough.

4. Kneading: Knead the dough for about 10 minutes on a work surface. If the dough is too sticky, add a little flour, but be careful not to overdo it, as bread that is too dense will not rise properly.

5. First rising: Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place, away from drafts, for 1.5 hours or until it doubles in volume.

6. Shaping the bread: Once the dough has risen, transfer it to a work surface and divide it into eight equal portions. If you want to be precise, use a kitchen scale to weigh each piece.

7. Resting the dough: Let the dough balls rest for 10 minutes. This step allows the gluten to relax, making shaping easier.

8. Preparing the layers: Roll each piece of dough into a circle and brush them with melted butter (save some for the end). Stack two circles on top of each other to form four sets.

9. Rolling: Roll each set of dough along the long side to form rolls. Trim the ends for a uniform look. Place the rolls cut side down.

10. Shaping the bread: Cut the remaining pieces of dough into triangles, which you will alternately place around the rolls in a flower shape in a round baking pan. This will give a festive and attractive appearance.

11. Second rising: Let the bread rise for 30 minutes, covered with a cloth, until it increases in volume.

12. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Brush the surface of the bread with the beaten egg for a golden and shiny crust. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

13. Finishing: After removing the bread from the oven, brush it with the remaining butter, cover with a cloth, and let it absorb the butter for 10 minutes.

Serving Suggestions: Festive bread can be served warm, with butter and jam, alongside a cup of fragrant tea or sweet wine. It is also perfect for accompanying a festive meal, being an excellent complement to meat or cheese dishes.

Variations and Useful Tips:

- Add Spices: For an unusual flavor, try adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough.
- Nuts or Dried Fruits: You can incorporate nuts, raisins, or candied fruits into the dough for a richer and more festive version.
- Vegan Bread: Replace the eggs with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds with 3 tablespoons of water to create a vegan version.

Calories and Nutritional Benefits: A serving of this festive bread contains approximately 250-300 calories, depending on the amount of butter used. It is a good source of carbohydrates and protein, but when consumed in moderation, it can be a delicious part of a balanced diet.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How can I tell if the bread is baked? A simple test is to tap the bottom of the bread; if it sounds hollow, it is done.
2. Can I use dry yeast instead of fresh yeast? Yes, you can use dry yeast, but in this case, use about 8 g (1 packet) of dry yeast.
3. What do I do if the bread hasn’t risen enough? Make sure you adhered to the ideal temperature for rising; if it hasn’t risen, let it sit longer in a warm place.

Now that you have all the necessary information, all that’s left is to put on your apron and bring this delicious festive bread recipe to life! Enjoy every moment of the cooking process and savor the final result with your loved ones!