Homemade Sweet Bread Recipe
Sweet bread is a dessert traditionally prepared for holiday celebrations, cherished in many households for its homemade touch. It’s known for its delightful variety, including ingredients like candied fruits, nuts, chocolate chips, orange peel, custard, almonds, walnuts, and much more.
The Origin of Sweet Bread
The first sweet bread traces back to 15th century Italy, specifically to Ludovico “Il Moro’s” court during a Christmas Eve. After a dessert mishap in the kitchen, a chef decided to create a sweet bread adorned with candied fruits, which quickly became a hit, earning the name “Pane de Toni.”
Making sweet bread doesn’t require extensive culinary knowledge or professional baking skills, nor does it demand a lot of time.
Homemade Sweet Bread Recipe
Ingredients for the Dough Starter:
- 60 grams of yeast
- 120 grams of all-purpose flour
- 150 cc of warm milk
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
Ingredients for the Bread:
- 800 grams of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 200 grams of sugar
- 200 grams of butter
- 5 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon each of sweet bread essence, vanilla essence, and either honey or malt extract
- ½ cup of liquor
- 200 grams of walnuts
- 100 grams of almonds
- 200 grams of chocolate chips or candied fruit
- Egg and butter for glazing
Preparation Steps:
- Prepare the Dough Starter: Dissolve the yeast in warm milk with sugar and flour. Cover it with cling film or a clean towel and let it ferment.
- Make the Dough: Sift the flour with salt onto a work surface. Create a well in the center and add in the butter, sugar, eggs, and chosen extracts. Combine these ingredients, then incorporate the dough starter and knead until you form a dough. It’s advisable to let it rest overnight.
- Shape and Bake: The next day, deflate the dough and fold in the nuts or chosen ingredients. Form it into a loaf and allow it to rise until it doubles in size. Divide the dough into several loaves, place them in paper molds, glaze them, and bake in a moderate oven for 1 hour.
Tips:
The dough should be fluffy, not hard. For every kilogram of flour, use between 1 to 1.5 kilograms of nuts or your chosen mix-in. The sweet bread can be stored for up to 10 days in a cool, dry place.
This homemade sweet bread, with its rich history and flexible recipe, offers a delightful treat for any celebration, bringing warmth and joy to your holiday table.
