Traditional Hungarian Christmas Sweet Bread
Experience the festive spirit of Hungary with this Traditional Hungarian Christmas Sweet Bread. This delightful bread, also known as 'Beigli,' is rich and flavorful, filled with a sweet poppy seed mixture, and makes for a perfect centerpiece at any holiday gathering. Soft, buttery, and slightly aromatic with lemon, this bread is best enjoyed with family and friends, making it a cherished holiday tradition in many homes. Share this delicious treat on Christmas morning or as a sweet afternoon snack, and delight in the warm memories created around the table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dry yeast
1 (1/4 ounce) package (Dissolved in warm water with sugar)
Sugar
1 teaspoon (For activating yeast mixture)
Warm water
2/3 cup (Should be around 105-110°F)
Butter
1 cup (At room temperature)
Sugar
1/4 cup (For dough mixture)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (For dough mixture)
Grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons (1 tbsp for dough and 1 tbsp for filling)
Non-fat powdered milk
1/4 cup (For dough mixture)
Unbleached flour
2 1/2-3 1/2 cups (Use as needed for dough consistency)
Ground poppy seeds
1 cup (For filling mixture)
Sugar
1 cup (For filling mixture)
Raisins
1/2 cup (For filling mixture)
Milk
1/2 cup (For filling mixture)
Egg
1 (Beaten with 1 tsp water for glaze)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, dissolve the dry yeast and sugar in warm water (105-110°F). Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is active.
2
In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, salt, 1 tablespoon of grated lemon peel, and milk until smooth and well combined.
3
Gradually incorporate the yeast mixture into the butter mixture, followed by 2 1/2 cups of unbleached flour. Mix until a dough begins to form.
4
Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, adding more flour as necessary until the dough is smooth and elastic. It should no longer be sticky to the touch.
5
Place the kneaded dough into a lightly greased bowl, covering the top with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free area until it doubles in size, approximately 1 hour.
6
While the dough is rising, prepare the filling by combining the ground poppy seeds, sugar, raisins, milk, and the remaining lemon peel in the top section of a double boiler. Cook over simmering water, stirring constantly until thickened, around 10 minutes. Once thickened, remove from heat and allow it to cool.
7
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into two equal portions. Roll each piece into a rectangle approximately 1/4 inch thick.
8
Spread the poppy seed filling evenly over each rectangle, roll them up tightly, and pinch the seams to seal the filling inside.
9
Place the rolled loaves onto a greased baking sheet, brush them with the egg wash (beaten egg mixed with 1 teaspoon of water), and cover lightly with wax paper supported by water glasses so it doesn't touch the dough. Allow them to rise again for 30 minutes.
10
After the second rise, brush a second coat of the egg wash onto the loaves.
11
Bake the loaves in a preheated oven at 325°F (165°C) for about 60 minutes, or until golden brown. If the tops start to brown too quickly, loosely cover them with aluminum foil during baking.
12
Once baked, let the loaves cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Traditional Hungarian Christmas Sweet Bread?
It is a festive, rich, and flavorful holiday bread from Hungary, often called Beigli, filled with a sweet poppy seed mixture.
What is Beigli?
Beigli is the traditional name for Hungarian Christmas Sweet Bread, characterized by its rolled shape and sweet poppy seed or walnut fillings.
What flavor profile does this bread have?
The bread is soft, buttery, and slightly aromatic with lemon, complemented by a sweet and dense poppy seed filling.
How do you start the dough preparation?
Start by dissolving dry yeast and sugar in warm water and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
What is the ideal water temperature for the yeast?
The water should be between 105 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit to properly activate the yeast.
What ingredients are creamed together for the dough?
You cream together butter, sugar, salt, grated lemon peel, and milk until smooth.
How much flour is needed for this recipe?
The recipe uses between 2.5 and 3.5 cups of unbleached flour, added gradually until the dough consistency is right.
How long should you knead the dough?
Knead the dough for about 10 minutes on a floured surface until it is smooth and elastic.
How can you tell if the dough is properly kneaded?
The dough should be smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky to the touch.
How long does the first rise take?
The dough should rise in a warm, draft-free area until it doubles in size, which takes approximately 1 hour.
How should you cover the dough while it rises?
Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap to keep the dough from drying out.
What is in the poppy seed filling?
The filling consists of ground poppy seeds, sugar, raisins, milk, and grated lemon peel.
How is the filling cooked?
It is cooked in a double boiler over simmering water, stirring constantly for about 10 minutes until thickened.
Do you need to cool the filling?
Yes, the poppy seed filling should be allowed to cool after thickening before being spread onto the dough.
How do you shape the loaves?
Punch down the risen dough, divide it into two, roll each into a 1/4 inch thick rectangle, spread filling, and roll up tightly.
How do you seal the bread?
Pinch the seams of the rolled-up dough tightly to ensure the filling stays inside during baking.
What is used for the egg wash?
The egg wash is made by beating one egg with one teaspoon of water.
When is the egg wash applied?
Apply the first coat before the second rise and a second coat just before baking.
How long is the second rise?
After rolling and the first egg wash, let the loaves rise again for 30 minutes.
How do you protect the dough during the second rise?
Cover lightly with wax paper, using water glasses for support so the paper does not touch the dough.
What temperature should the oven be?
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (165 degrees Celsius).
How long does the bread bake?
The bread takes about 60 minutes to bake until it reaches a golden brown color.
What if the top of the bread browns too fast?
If the bread is browning too quickly, loosely cover the tops with aluminum foil during the remaining baking time.
Where should the bread cool?
Let the loaves cool on a wire rack to allow air circulation and prevent sogginess.
Can I use powdered milk in the dough?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1/4 cup of non-fat powdered milk for the dough mixture.
Is the lemon peel used in both the dough and filling?
Yes, use one tablespoon of grated lemon peel in the dough and the remaining tablespoon in the filling.
What kind of yeast is used?
Use one 1/4 ounce package of dry yeast for this recipe.
Can I add raisins to this bread?
Yes, 1/2 cup of raisins is included in the poppy seed filling for added sweetness and texture.
Is this recipe suitable for Christmas morning?
Yes, it is a cherished holiday tradition often served on Christmas morning or as a sweet afternoon snack.
What is the final appearance of the bread?
The final bread should be golden brown on the outside with a beautiful spiral of poppy seed filling on the inside when sliced.