During the festive season, there’s nothing quite like the warmth and aroma of freshly baked Italian Christmas treats filling the air. One such delightful creation is the Gubana, a traditional sweet bread hailing from the northeastern region of Italy. Made with a rich dough and a filling of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, this sweet bread is a true labor of love, perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holidays.
Title: Gubana Fruit And Nut Stuffed Sweet Bread
Ingredients:
– 4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup warm milk
– 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup sugar
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 2 large eggs, at room temperature
– Zest of 1 lemon
– 1/2 cup golden raisins
– 1/2 cup dried figs, chopped
– 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
– 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
– 1/4 cup almonds, chopped
– 1/4 cup pine nuts
– 1/4 cup rum
– 1/2 cup honey
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
– 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/4 tsp ground cloves
– Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes, until frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, butter, eggs, and lemon zest.
3. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix the dough until it comes together. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. In the meantime, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, soak the golden raisins, dried figs, dried apricots, walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts in rum for about 30 minutes.
6. Drain the fruits and nuts, reserving the rum for later use.
7. In another bowl, mix the soaked fruits and nuts with honey, breadcrumbs, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
9. Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a large rectangle on a floured surface.
10. Spread the fruit and nut filling evenly over the dough, leaving a border around the edges.
11. Tightly roll up the dough from the long end to form a log. Pinch the seams to seal.
12. Transfer the rolled dough onto the prepared baking sheet, shaping it into a ring or a coil.
13. Cover the Gubana with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for an additional 30 minutes.
14. Bake the Gubana in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
15. Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
16. Dust the Gubana with powdered sugar before serving.
Serve slices of this delicious Gubana sweet bread as a festive treat during the holiday season. Its flavorful filling and tender dough are sure to make it a highlight of your Italian Christmas traditions. Enjoy the process of baking and sharing this special recipe with your loved ones. Happy holidays!
