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cozonac cake

Cozonac Romanian Cake Recipe

Cozonac is a classic, simple, sweetened yeast bread with origins in Romania. Traditionally made during Easter and Christmas, this citrus-scented sweet dough is twisted around a nutty filling, creating a spiral design when baked. The result is a festive loaf bread with a tender and soft crumb.
Prep Time 3 hours
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 4 hours
Course Dessert
Cuisine European
Calories 405 kcal

Ingredients
  

The dough:

  • 1 cup  milk
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup butter 170 grams, cut up
  • 720 g bread flour 6 cups
  •  teaspoon  active dry yeast 8 grams
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest grated
  • 1 teaspoon  lemon zest grated
  • 3 pic eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoon  vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon rum
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

The filling:

  • 1 cup milk
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 200 g  walnuts or almonds finely ground, about 2 cups
  • 1/4 cup rum
  • 1 teaspoon  orange extract
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1/2  teaspoon ground espresso powder
  • 1/4 cup cocoa dutch processed
  • 1/2 cup vanilla extract

Topping

  • 1 pic lightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoon  turbinado sugar

Instructions
 

  • Begin by heating the milk and sugar together in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisking until they are well combined. Next, add the butter and stir until it is almost completely melted before removing the mixture from the heat and setting it aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, attach the paddle to your stand mixer and combine about 1½ cups of flour with the yeast. Once these dry ingredients are combined, add the lukewarm milk mixture and blend on low speed for 2-3 minutes.
  • While the mixture rests for a few minutes, take the time to grate the zest of an orange and a lemon, and set the zest aside.
  • Next, with the mixer on low speed, add the eggs and mix for about 1-2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed. Once the eggs are well-incorporated, add the vanilla extract, rum, and salt, and then switch to the dough hook.
  • Add the remaining flour and knead for a few minutes, and then incorporate the citrus zests and continue to knead for another 6-8 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is still sticky, add a few more tablespoons of flour.
  • Lightly grease a bowl with butter and place the dough inside, making sure to turn it over to coat it with grease. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise for about 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
  • While the dough rises, prepare the filling.

Notes

Nutrition Information:
  • Calories: 405kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 51g
  • Protein: 9g
  • Fat: 17g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 59mg
  • Sodium: 160mg
  • Potassium: 174mg
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 19g
  • Vitamin A: 335IU
  • Vitamin C: 1.5mg
  • Calcium: 57mg
  • Iron: 1.1mg
Keyword cozonac cake