Dive into the world of baking with these captivating Mini Braided Yeast Pastries, a creative concoction that merges the tanginess of cranberries with the smoothness of cheese, all wrapped in a delicate, fluffy dough. This innovative recipe brings a playful twist to your pastry experience, offering a blend of flavors and textures that are sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Why You’ll Love This: The charm of these pastries lies in their intricate braided design, which not only makes them visually appealing but also enhances the eating experience by evenly distributing the cheese and cranberry filling in every bite. Perfect for those who love the idea of donuts but are looking for something less labor-intensive, these pastries strike the perfect balance between indulgence and simplicity.
Perfect Occasion: These Mini Braided Yeast Pastries are the perfect treat for any occasion, be it a cozy family breakfast, a sophisticated brunch, or a sweet snack to enjoy any time of the day. Their delightful appearance and exquisite taste make them great for entertaining guests or bringing a special touch to holiday celebrations.
Decoration Tips: For an extra touch of elegance, sprinkle almond flakes on top of the pastries before baking for a crunchy finish. Once cooled, a dusting of powdered sugar adds a lovely contrast and a hint of additional sweetness. Serving them on a vintage platter alongside fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream can turn these pastries into a festive centerpiece.
Recipe:
Dough Preparation:
- Dissolve 20g of fresh yeast in 100 ml of warm (not hot) milk, mixing with 2 tablespoons of flour and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Cover and set aside in a warm place for about 10 minutes to activate.
- In a mixer bowl, combine 300g of high-quality wheat flour (preferably type 550 or 500), 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 eggs, and 50g of melted, cooled butter. Add the activated yeast mixture and knead to form a smooth dough.
- Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
Filling:
- Mix 300g of cheese with grated zest of one lemon, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 egg until smooth.
Assembly:
- Divide the risen dough into 6-8 pieces, roll into balls, and let rest covered for about 20 minutes. Then, flatten or roll each ball into a rectangle and spread with the cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle cranberries over the cheese, roll up into logs, and cut each log lengthwise, leaving about 2 cm at the top uncut. Braid the two strands together and place on a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Brush the pastries with milk, optionally sprinkle with almond flakes, and let them rest covered for about 20 minutes.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for about 15 minutes. Once cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Enjoy these Mini Braided Yeast Pastries with Cheese and Cranberries, a unique blend of flavors that promises to delight and satisfy with every fluffy, tangy, and sweet bite.
