Sweet bread

Sweet Bread with Raisins and Walnut Recipe

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Dosing time: 1 hour
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total: 1 hour and 60 minutes
Number of servings: 12 servings

Introduction

Sweet bread is a delicacy that has been enjoyed for generations, enveloping holiday tables with its sweet flavor and fluffy texture. This recipe for sweet bread with raisins and walnuts will not only delight your taste buds, but will also transport you to a world of fond memories, bringing a smile to the faces of your loved ones. It's a great choice for breakfast, snack or dessert and served warm, it's a real treat.

Ingredients

- 1 kg white wheat flour
- 2 sachets dry yeast
- 450 ml water
- 15 tablespoons sugar
- 15 tablespoons oil
- 200 g raisins
- 100 gr walnut kernels, finely chopped
- 4 tbsp vanilla essence
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Sugar to dust at the end

Details about Ingredients

White wheat flour is the base of the recipe, giving the bread structure and fluffy texture. Dry yeast, an essential leavening agent, makes the dough rise and become airy. Sugar is not only a sweetener, but also a moisturizing agent that contributes to the flavour. Oil adds extra moisture and helps give a soft texture. Raisins and walnuts are key ingredients that bring a contrast of textures and flavors, and vanilla essence enriches everything with a warm, familiar aroma.

Preparation steps

1. Prepare the syrup: start by mixing the water and sugar in a saucepan. Put the mixture over medium heat and bring it to the boiling point. This syrup will add sweetness and activate the yeast.

2. Mixing the dry ingredients: in a large bowl, sift the flour and add the dry yeast. Providing an even and healthy base, this step is essential to prevent clumping.

3. Adding the wet ingredients: once the water and sugar syrup has cooled slightly, add the oil and salt, followed by 2 tablespoons of vanilla essence. Mix well.

4. Combining the ingredients: pour the warm syrup over the flour mixture. Start mixing with a spatula or your hands. When the dough begins to form, knead it well until it becomes elastic and no longer sticks to the bowl. This is when the dough becomes a living ingredient, full of potential.

5. Dough proofing: cover the bowl with a damp towel and let it sit for about an hour in a warm place. This process will make the dough rise and become fluffy, so don't skip this step!

6. Preparing the raisins: while the dough is rising, place the raisins in warm water mixed with 2 tablespoons of vanilla essence. This technique will moisturize them and intensify their flavor. After about 10 minutes, drain the raisins.

7. Form the bread: when the dough has risen, divide it into two equal parts. Roll out each side into a rectangular sheet. Sprinkle the raisins and walnut kernels on each sheet, then carefully roll them into a roll. These layers will add delicious texture to each slice.

8. Baking: place the rolls in baking paper-lined trays, leaving a little space between them to expand. Cover again and leave to bake for another 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Bake the sweet bread for about 40 minutes, until golden brown and hollow sounding when lightly tapped on the bottom.

9. To serve: leave the bread to cool slightly, then sprinkle powdered sugar on top for a great look. Slices of sweet bread are great warm but equally delicious cold with a cup of tea or coffee.

Practical tips

- If you want an even more intense flavor, add grated lemon or orange zest to the dough.
- Experiment with different types of nuts such as almonds or hazelnuts to customize your recipe.
- Sweet bread keeps well at room temperature for a few days, but you can freeze it to keep it longer. Wrap it well in plastic wrap before putting it in the freezer.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, but note that the texture will be denser and require more water.

2. How can I avoid sticky dough?
Make sure you knead the dough sufficiently and add a little more flour if necessary.

3. Can I replace raisins with something else?
Of course! You can use dried cranberries, dried apricots or even chocolate chips for a different taste.

Delicious combinations

Sweet bread goes perfectly with a cup of warm milk or a flavored herbal tea. It can be served with a dollop of flavored butter or fruit jam for an even more special dessert.

This sweet raisin and walnut bread recipe is not just a simple recipe, but an invitation to create memories with loved ones. Whether you savor it in the morning for breakfast or offer it for dessert at a family meal, every slice is a joy. Don't forget to share this recipe with your friends and tell them about the magic sweet bread brings to your life!