Not A Pie But Gold: A Rich, Yeast-Risen Dessert with Old-World Flavor Recipe
This rich, yeast-risen dessert captures the essence of old-world baking with a soft, slightly sweet dough flavored with cardamom or cinnamon. The dough is braised, allowed to rise twice for a light texture, and baked until golden brown. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of syrup, this golden treat offers a comforting and nostalgic flavor perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 2¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
- ¾ cup (180ml) warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- ⅓ cup (75g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp ground cardamom or cinnamon (optional)
Topping
- Powdered sugar or syrup, for topping
Instructions
- Activate yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix dough: Add the eggs, salt, and all-purpose flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until just combined to form a shaggy dough.
- Knead dough: Incorporate the softened butter and optional ground cardamom or cinnamon. Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
- First rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape dough: Punch down the risen dough and shape it into a braid, ring, swirl, or small rolls. Arrange the shaped dough in a greased baking dish.
- Second rise: Cover the shaped dough again and let it rise for 30–45 minutes until puffed up.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the dough for 25–30 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Finish and serve: Allow the baked dessert to cool slightly before dusting it with powdered sugar or drizzling with syrup. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is warm but not hot (110°F/43°C) to prevent killing the yeast.
- Optional spices like cardamom or cinnamon add a lovely aromatic touch but can be omitted.
- Dough can be shaped in various ways for visual appeal—braid, ring, or individual rolls.
- Check for doneness by tapping the bottom of the bread; it should sound hollow.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Syrup can be honey, maple syrup, or a simple sugar glaze depending on preference.
Keywords: yeast dessert, cardamom bread, cinnamon braid, old-world dessert, sweet yeast bread, baked dessert
