These Italian sweet rolls offer a delightful combination of a soft, fluffy texture with the rich flavors of dried fruits and nuts. Made with a dough enriched with egg whites, butter, and lemon zest, each roll is filled with a tasty mix of raisins, pine nuts, walnuts, and almonds. Before baking, the rolls are brushed with milk and topped with sliced almonds, resulting in a beautiful golden crust. These rolls are perfect for a sweet breakfast, brunch, or as a delightful snack.
Why You'll Love This:
- Rich and Flavorful: Packed with dried fruits and nuts for a satisfying taste.
- Soft and Fluffy Texture: The dough is light and airy, making the rolls a delight to eat.
- Aromatic Lemon Zest: Adds a fresh and zesty flavor.
- Beautiful Presentation: Topped with sliced almonds for an elegant finish.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for special breakfasts, holiday gatherings, or as a treat with tea or coffee.
Ingredients:
- 500 g flour (type 00)
- 2 egg whites
- 100 ml warm milk
- 14 g fresh yeast (1 cube)
- 70 g butter, room temperature
- 100 g sugar
- Lemon zest
- A pinch of salt
- Raisins, pine nuts, walnuts, almonds
- Milk and sliced almonds for topping
Directions:
- In a bowl, mix the warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let it rest for 5-7 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine the flour, remaining sugar, egg whites, lemon zest, and salt. Knead for 4-5 minutes.
- Let the mixture rest at room temperature for 8-10 minutes.
- Continue kneading, gradually adding the room-temperature butter, for 12-15 minutes.
- Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 - 2 hours.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle. Add raisins and other desired ingredients, fold and shape lightly.
- Cut into 4-5 equal pieces and round each piece slightly.
- Place the rolls on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, cover with a kitchen towel, and let them rest for 30 minutes.
- Before baking, brush with milk and sprinkle with sliced almonds.
- Bake at 160°C (320°F) for 40 minutes.
Serve these fruit and nut-enriched sweet rolls warm or at room temperature, accompanied by your favorite beverage for a truly delightful experience. 🥖🍇🥜✨