Walnut bread is a traditional Romanian dessert, very popular during the Christmas and Easter holidays. It is a type of sweet bread enriched with milk, eggs, and butter, and generously filled with a mixture of ground walnuts, sugar, cocoa, and rum. The dough is kneaded and left to rise to achieve a fluffy texture, then baked until golden brown, emitting a tempting aroma
Romanian walnut bread
Ingrediente aluat
Ingrediente umplutură
Instructions
Dough preparation method
    All ingredients should be brought to room temperature.
- Place the sugar in the bowl and pulverize for 30 sec/speed 10. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. Add the lemon zest and orange zest to the bowl and chop for 30 sec/speed 10. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. Rinse the bowl.
- Add the milk and vanilla seeds to the bowl and heat for 2 min/37°C/speed 1.
- Add the yeast, 20 grams of flour, and 20 grams of sugar, and mix for 30 sec/speed 4. Let it sit for 10 minutes with the lid left off to activate the yeast.
- After 10 minutes, add the softened butter, egg yolks, reserved sugar, citrus zest, rum, half of the flour (390 grams), and salt to the bowl. Mix for 30 sec/speed 5.
- Add the remaining flour (390 grams) and knead twice for 3 min/dough/kneading. During kneading, gradually pour in the oil through the hole in the lid. If you want a more elastic dough, repeat kneading for an additional 3 minutes.
- Transfer the dough to a large bowl and let it rise until it doubles in volume, about 1 hour. Use a little oil to prevent it from sticking to your hands. Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place.
Cocoa and walnut filling
- To enhance the flavor of the filling, toast the walnut meat in an oven preheated to 180°C (350°F) for 8-10 minutes.
- Wash and thoroughly dry the bowl. Place the sugar in the bowl and pulverize for 10 sec/speed 10. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. Put the walnuts in the bowl and chop for 7 sec/speed 6. Wash and dry the bowl.
- Ensure the bowl is very well dried. Attach the mixing blade. Place the egg whites in the bowl and whip for 4 min/speed 3.5.
- Add the ground walnuts, powdered sugar, cocoa, warm milk, and vanilla extract, and mix for 40 sec/speed 3.5.
Assembly
- Grease the surface where you will roll out the dough with a little oil. Divide the dough into 4 equal parts. Roll each portion into a rectangular sheet, and spread 1/4 of the filling over each sheet.
- Start rolling the dough tightly from one long side of the rectangle, forming a cylinder. Make sure to roll evenly and firmly, but not too tight to avoid squeezing out the filling. Place two rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining two rolls. If you want to shape them into a babka loaf, cut each cylinder lengthwise, leaving a 2-3 cm uncut edge on one side. Cross the dough pieces over each other to create a braided pattern, or twist them to achieve a braided look. When you reach the end, tuck the ends under the dough. Using the parchment paper to help, transfer the dough into a loaf pan (2 L) and let it rise for about 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F).
- Brush the loaves with beaten egg mixed with a little milk and bake for 50-60 minutes at 160°C (320°F). If the loaves start to brown too quickly, cover them with parchment paper and continue baking.
- Remove the loaves from the oven, perform a toothpick test, and let them cool for 15 minutes before removing them from the pan. Allow them to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Servings 20
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 493kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 27g42%
- Saturated Fat 7.7g39%
- Sodium 119mg5%
- Total Carbohydrate 51.6g18%
- Dietary Fiber 26.7g107%
- Protein 11.6g24%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.