Sweet bread

Nut and cocoa bread: a traditional delight

Nut and cocoa bread is more than just a simple dessert; it is a true culinary experience, filled with flavor and tradition, bringing together tastes and textures that remind us of special moments spent with loved ones. This recipe is suitable for holidays but can also be enjoyed on ordinary days, making it ideal for enhancing family meals.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Rising time: 2 hours
Baking time: 1 hour
Total: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Necessary ingredients:

- 1 kg of flour
- 8 eggs
- 40 g of fresh yeast
- 300 g of sugar
- 200 ml of oil
- 200 ml of boiling milk
- 1 teaspoon of fine salt
- Spices: vanilla, rum, almond extracts, lemon zest
- 300 g of walnut kernels
- 100 g of cocoa
- 200 g of raisins

Of course, if you want to personalize this recipe, you can experiment with various types of nuts or add chopped chocolate for an even more intense flavor.

What you need to know about the ingredients:

Fresh yeast is essential for achieving a fluffy and airy bread. Make sure it is fresh and active. If you do not have fresh yeast, you can use dry yeast, adjusting the quantity to half.

The flour should be of good quality, preferably type 650, to achieve a light and fluffy bread.

Boiling milk helps activate the yeast and gives a softer texture to the dough.

The walnut kernels can be lightly toasted to enhance the flavor, and the raisins add a sweet contrast and pleasant texture.

Preparation steps:

1. Activating the yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in 50 ml of warm milk along with a tablespoon of sugar. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

2. Preparing the dough: In a large bowl, mix the flour with the salt. In another bowl, separate the egg whites from the yolks. Beat the yolks with 150 g of sugar until creamy.

3. Whipping the egg whites: Beat the remaining 4 egg whites with 150 g of sugar until you obtain a firm foam.

4. Creating the roux: Take 2 tablespoons of flour from the bowl and scald them with 200 ml of boiling milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Let it cool.

5. Combining the ingredients: Add the roux over the activated yeast and mix. Then, incorporate the oil and warm milk. Add the whipped egg whites, mixing gently, followed by the flour until you obtain a homogeneous dough.

6. Flavoring the dough: Add the spices – vanilla, rum, and almond extracts, lemon zest, then incorporate the ground walnuts, cocoa, and raisins. Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes elastic and shiny.

7. First rising: Place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover it with a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until it doubles in volume.

8. Shaping the bread: After the dough has risen, divide it into two. Roll out each part on an oiled surface. Fill each sheet with the walnut, cocoa, and sugar mixture, then roll them tightly.

9. Braiding: Braid the two rolls of dough and place them in greased or parchment-lined pans. Let them rise for another hour.

10. Glazing and baking: Beat an egg yolk with a little oil to glaze the breads. Bake them in a preheated oven at 180 °C for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 160 °C and continue baking for 45 minutes until golden.

11. Cooling: After baking, leave the breads in the pans for 15 minutes, then transfer them to a rack to cool completely. This will help maintain the fluffy texture.

Useful tips and tricks:

- You can add extra spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg, to give the bread an even richer flavor.
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for better homogenization.
- If you want a sweeter bread, you can add more sugar to the filling.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use dry yeast instead of fresh yeast?
Yes, you can use dry yeast, but the amount will be about half of that of fresh yeast.

2. How can I keep the bread fresh longer?
You can store it in a metal box or a paper bag at room temperature. Avoid keeping it in the fridge, as it will dry out.

3. What can I do if the dough does not rise?
Make sure the yeast is active and that you left the dough in a warm place. It may help to place it in a preheated oven at a very low temperature.

This nut and cocoa bread will not only bring a touch of joy to your table, but it will fill the house with divine aromas, turning every moment spent around the table into an unforgettable memory. Enjoy!