Cozonac

Indulge in the rich, sweet flavors of Cozonac, a traditional Romanian sweet bread filled with walnuts and cocoa. Perfect for festive gatherings or a cozy afternoon treat with coffee.

• 500 g all-purpose flour
• 200 ml milk
• 100 g sugar
• 100 g butter
• 3 pcs eggs
• 10 g yeast
• 200 g walnuts
• 50 g cocoa powder

Method

1. 1

   In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar and let it sit for about 10 minutes until frothy.

2. 2

   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and melted butter. Mix well.

3. 3

   Add the eggs and the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.

4. 4

   Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

5. 5

   Once risen, divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll out each part into a rectangle, spread one half with chopped walnuts and cocoa powder, then roll it tightly.

6. 6

   Place the rolled dough into a greased loaf pan. Repeat with the second half and let both loaves rise for another 30 minutes.

7. 7

   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake the loaves for about 50-60 minutes or until golden brown on top.

8. 8

   Allow the cozonac to cool before slicing. Serve and enjoy your delicious Romanian treat!