Sweet bread with almonds and Turkish delight

Almond and Turkish Delight Sweet Bread – A Festive Delicacy

Almond and Turkish delight sweet bread is a tradition in many cultures, often associated with holidays and special moments with loved ones. With an inviting aroma and a soft texture, this sweet bread quickly becomes a favorite for everyone. Here’s how you can prepare this delicious recipe at home, step by step, to impress family and friends.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 50 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients:

For the dough:
- 1 kg all-purpose flour
- 200 g sugar
- 8 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 400 ml lukewarm milk
- 30 g melted butter
- 50 g fresh yeast
- 100 ml oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 vial rum essence
- 1 vial vanilla essence

For the filling:
- 8 egg whites
- 150 g sugar
- 25 g cocoa powder
- 400 g ground almonds
- 200 g diced Turkish delight
- Rum, vanilla, and almond essences (a few drops, to taste)

For brushing:
- 1 egg yolk

Preparing the sweet bread:

1. Preparing the starter: In a small bowl, dissolve 50 g of fresh yeast in 150 ml of lukewarm milk. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and 200 g of flour. Mix well until you get a smooth paste, then cover with a towel and let rise for 15-20 minutes, until foamy.

2. Preparing the dough: In a large bowl, sift 1 kg of flour and add the starter. In another bowl, beat the 8 egg yolks with 200 g of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, the rum and vanilla essences, lemon and orange zest. Add the yolk mixture to the flour, along with the remaining lukewarm milk, melted butter, and oil. Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth.

3. Proofing the dough: Cover the dough with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

4. Preparing the filling: In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gradually add 150 g of sugar and continue beating until you get a firm meringue. Fold in the cocoa powder and ground almonds, mixing gently to avoid losing air. Add the diced Turkish delight and essences, mixing gently to distribute evenly.

5. Shaping the sweet bread: Once the dough has risen, divide it into four equal parts. On a floured surface, roll out each part into a rectangular sheet. Spread the filling evenly on each sheet, then carefully roll them up. Braid two rolls together and place them in a greased baking pan.

6. Second proofing: Cover the sweet breads with a towel and let them rise again for 20 minutes, until they double in size.

7. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Brush each sweet bread with an egg yolk for a golden, shiny crust. Bake for 50 minutes or until golden brown and sounding hollow when tapped.

8. Cooling and serving: After baking, let the sweet breads cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve with a cup of tea or coffee.

Useful tips:
- Make sure the ingredients are at room temperature for a more uniform dough.
- You can replace almonds with walnuts or hazelnuts if you prefer.
- For an even more intense flavor, you can add a tablespoon of rum or a drop of orange essence to the filling.
- The sweet bread keeps well in an airtight container for a few days, and the flavor improves the next day.

Nutritional benefits:
Almond and Turkish delight sweet bread is a source of protein and healthy fats due to the almonds. It also contains carbohydrates from flour and sugar, providing quick energy. Moderate consumption of this dessert is ideal, especially on festive days when we want to indulge in treats.

Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use whole wheat flour? – Yes, but the dough will have a different texture and will require more hydration.
2. How can I prevent the dough from sticking to my hands? – Use oil on your hands during kneading.
3. Is this recipe vegan? – You can use substitutes for eggs, but the texture will be different.

This almond and Turkish delight sweet bread recipe is perfect for bringing a touch of sweetness into your life. So, embrace the tradition, enjoy the cooking process, and most importantly, savor this delicacy with your loved ones!