Croissants with jam

Jam Horns - The Delight of the Morning

If you're looking for a quick dessert or a simple recipe that brings smiles to the faces of your loved ones, jam horns are the perfect choice! These fluffy delights are ideal for breakfast, as a school snack, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving. I will present you with a detailed, step-by-step recipe filled with useful tips, so you can achieve a perfect result every time.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Rising time: 1 hour
Baking time: 20-25 minutes
Total: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Number of servings: 16 horns

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 500 g wheat flour (preferably type 000 for a finer texture)
- 250 ml warm water (or milk, if you're not making them for fasting)
- 4 tablespoons honey (for a sweet and fragrant taste)
- 7 g dry yeast
- 25 g margarine (or butter, for extra flavor)

For the filling:
- 200 g fruit jam (preferably apricot, plum, or raspberry)

For the syrup:
- 200 ml water
- 4 tablespoons honey (to keep the horns soft and fragrant)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preparing the Dough:
In a large bowl, add the flour and dry yeast. Mix them well with a wooden spoon. This step is essential to ensure an even distribution of the yeast in the dough.

2. Adding Moist Ingredients:
Melt the margarine (or butter) and add it to the bowl. Then, add the honey. If you're using milk instead of water, now is the time to incorporate it.

3. Mixing the Dough:
Start adding the warm water gradually, mixing constantly with the wooden spoon. There's no need to knead the dough, just homogenize it well until you achieve a uniform composition.

4. Rising the Dough:
Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place, away from drafts, until the dough doubles in volume (about 30 minutes).

5. Shaping the Horns:
Sprinkle flour on the work surface and divide the dough into two. Roll each piece into a thin sheet. Cut each sheet into 8 equal triangles (first in half, then into quarters, and finally into eighths).

6. Filling the Horns:
On each triangle, place a tablespoon of jam. Be careful not to put too much jam to avoid overflow during baking. Roll each triangle from the base to the tip, taking care to leave the tip underneath.

7. Second Rising:
Place the horns on a tray lined with baking paper and let them rise for another 30 minutes. This step will help the horns become fluffy and rise during baking.

8. Preparing the Syrup:
In a small container, dissolve the honey in 200 ml of warm water. This syrup will give the horns a sweet flavor and help keep them soft.

9. Baking:
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the horns for 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden and brown.

10. Finishing:
Once the horns are baked, take them out of the oven and, while they are still hot, brush them with the honey syrup on all sides. This is the key to keeping the horns soft and full of flavor.

Serving and Variations

Jam horns are perfect in the morning, alongside a cup of warm milk or a fragrant cup of coffee. You can pack them for your children's school lunch or enjoy them with friends during a gathering.

Filling variations:
- You can experiment with different types of jam (chocolate, caramelized apples, or coconut).
- Instead of jam, you can fill the horns with ground nuts, Turkish delight, or even melted chocolate for a decadent option.

Nutritional Benefits

Jam horns contain carbohydrates from the flour, providing energy, and honey is a natural sweetener with antioxidant properties. Adding fruit in the form of jam provides essential vitamins, contributing to a balanced breakfast.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use another type of sweetener?
Yes, you can replace honey with sugar or another natural sweetener, but the taste and texture may vary.

2. How can I keep the horns fresh?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep them for a longer period, you can freeze them.

3. Can I use fresh yeast?
Of course! You can use fresh yeast, but you will need about 20 g. Make sure to dissolve it in warm water before adding it to the flour.

4. What drinks pair well with these horns?
Jam horns pair perfectly with milk, coffee, tea, or even a fruit smoothie for a complete breakfast.

These jam horns are not just a simple recipe but also a way to bring joy and flavor to every morning. So, don’t hesitate! Put on your apron and prepare these delights that will surely become a family favorite. Enjoy every bite and savor the sweet moment of the morning!