Cozonac | Romanian Walnut Sweet Bread | Soft and Fluffy Milk Bread Recipe

Ingredients for 2 small loaves:
- 360g flour
- 3 egg yolks
- 70g of sugar
- 5g dry yeast
- 70g of butter
- 130 ml of milk
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 tsp Lemon essence
Filling:
- 150g walnuts
- 30g cocoa powder
- 50g sugar
- 3 egg whites
Instructions:
1. Pour the salt over the yolks and beat with a fork, then add the essences.
2. Mix the yeast with a little warm milk and sugar to activate it.
3. Mix the flour with activated yeast, egg yolks, sugar and melted butter.
4. Knead well for about 10 minutes.
5. Slam the dough on the counter several times, then let it rise for 1 hour. Knead once more and let it rise again.
6. For the filling, mix the dry ingredients and add the egg whites. Mix well.
7. Divide the dough into 4 pieces for 2 loaves. Roll out each piece into a rectangle and spread with the filling, leaving the edges free.
8. Roll up the dough and seal the edges. Interweave the loaves and let them rise for 20 minutes in the loaf pans, covered.
9. Brush the loaves with egg, sprinkle with sugar and walnuts.
10. Bake at 160°C for 10 minutes, then increase the temperature to 170°C and bake for another 12 minutes. Test with a toothpick before removing from the oven.
11. Cover with a towel until cool.
Enjoy your sweet walnut bread!