Cozonac is a sweet bread that is popular in Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, and other countries in Eastern Europe. It is often eaten during Easter and Christmas, but it can also be enjoyed year-round. It is made with a variety of ingredients, including flour, eggs, sugar, milk, yeast, and butter. It is also often flavored with nuts, raisins, and other dried fruits.
History of Cozonac
The history of cozonac can be traced back to ancient times. The Romans had a similar bread called panis dulcis, which was made with flour, eggs, honey, and milk. In the Middle Ages, this delicacy was a popular food among the wealthy and was often served at feasts.
In the 19th century, it became more popular among the general population. This was due in part to the introduction of new ingredients, such as baking powder and yeast. Baking powder made it easier to make this cake, and yeast made it lighter and fluffier.
Cozonac Today
Today, cozonac is one of the most popular breads in Romania. It is often served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is also a popular gift to give to friends and family.
How to Make Cozonac?
Making cozonac is a time-consuming process, but it is well worth the effort. The first step is to make the dough. The dough is made with flour, eggs, sugar, milk, yeast, and butter. It is then kneaded until it is smooth and elastic.
Once the dough is made, it is time to let it rise. The dough is placed in a warm place and allowed to rise for several hours. Once the dough has doubled in size, it is time to shape it.
It can be shaped into a variety of different shapes. The most common shape is a loaf, but cozonac can also be shaped into braids, wreaths, and other shapes. Once it is shaped, it is time to let it rise again.
The second rise is typically shorter than the first rise. Once the cozonac has doubled in size, it is time to bake it. It is typically baked at a high temperature for about 30 minutes.
Cozonac Components
Indulge in the delightful process of crafting cozonac, a sweet Eastern European bread that embodies tradition and flavor. Let’s explore the key ingredients that contribute to the magic of this culinary creation.
All-Purpose Flour (1 pound):
Begin with the heart of the recipe—flour. This versatile ingredient serves as the foundation, imparting structure and texture to the cozonac. Its finely milled grains ensure a soft and airy interior, creating the perfect canvas for the delectable fillings that await.
Sugar (1/2 cup):
Sweetness is the soul of cozonac, and sugar plays a vital role in elevating its taste. Beyond merely adding sweetness, sugar enhances the dough’s tenderness and contributes to the appealing golden-brown crust during baking.
Salt (1 teaspoon):
Balancing the sweetness, salt is the unsung hero that harmonizes the flavors in your cozonac. It tempers the sugar, heightens the overall taste, and ensures that every bite is a delightful symphony of sweetness and subtle savory notes.
Active Dry Yeast (1 package):
Transforming the dough into a pillowy masterpiece, active dry yeast is the catalyst for fermentation. When dissolved in warm milk, it becomes foamy, signaling its activation. This process gives cozonac its characteristic rise, creating a light and fluffy texture.
Milk (1/2 cup, warmed):
The comforting warmth of milk not only aids in dissolving the yeast but also enriches the dough with moisture. This dairy component contributes to its tenderness, ensuring a delightful contrast to the slightly crisp exterior.
Eggs (2 large):
Acting as both a binder and a source of richness, eggs infuse the dough with a golden hue and a luscious, velvety texture. They contribute to its overall structure and provide a luxurious mouthfeel.
Butter (1/4 cup, softened):
Introducing a touch of luxury, butter adds richness and a buttery flavor to this treat. Softened to a creamy consistency, it integrates seamlessly into the dough, enhancing its taste and contributing to the bread’s tender crumb.
Embark on this delicious journey, where each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating a symphony of flavors and textures. Following these steps will lead you to a golden-brown, heavenly loaf, ready to be sliced and savored.
Cozonac Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup 236ml milk
- 3/4 cup 170g granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup 170g unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cups 720g bread flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons 8g active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon 15ml orange zest, grated
- 1 tablespoon 15ml lemon zest, grated
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoons 10ml vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon 15ml rum
- 1/2 teaspoon 3g salt
Filling
- 1 cup 236ml milk
- 3/4 cup 170g granulated sugar
- 2 cups 200g finely ground walnuts or almonds
- 1/4 cup 60ml rum
- 1 teaspoon 5ml orange extract
- 1 tablespoon 15ml orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon 3g ground espresso powder
- 1/4 cup 28g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon 3g vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, sugar, and butter until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, orange zest, and lemon zest. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, rum, and salt and mix until a dough forms.
- Step 2: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10-15 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Step 3: Make the filling: In a small saucepan, whisk together the milk, sugar, and walnuts or almonds until smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes, or until thickened. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rum, orange extract, orange zest, espresso powder, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and divide it in half. Roll out each half of the dough into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Spread the filling evenly over each rectangle of dough. Starting from the long side, roll up the dough into a tight log. Pinch the seams to seal.
- Step 5: Grease two 9×5-inch loaf pans. Place the dough logs in the prepared pans, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Step 6: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake the loaves for 50-60 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the loaves cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing them and letting them cool completely on a wire rack.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use whole milk and heavy cream in the dough and filling.
- To make the filling ahead of time, cook it according to the instructions and then let it cool completely. Transfer the filling to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To prevent the loaves from sticking to the pans, be sure to grease them well. You can also line the pans with parchment paper.
- If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can knead the dough by hand. Just be sure to knead it for at least 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- To test if the loaves are done, insert a toothpick into the center. If the toothpick comes out clean, the loaves are done.
- Let the loaves cool completely before slicing and serving.
What is the difference between Cozonac and Panettone?
Cozonac and panettone are both sweet breads that are popular in Romania and Italy, respectively. However, there are some key differences between the two breads. Cozonac is typically made with a dough that is richer in eggs and butter than panettone dough. Cozonac is also often flavored with nuts, raisins, and other dried fruits, while panettone is typically flavored with candied fruit and citrus zest.
Looking for more Divine Baking Recipes, take a look at our dark chocolate pudding recipe.
