Kouglof Food

KUGELHOPF

Steps:

• Stir together yeast and water in a small bowl and let stand until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes. (If mixture doesn't foam, discard and start over with new yeast.)
• Heat milk with 6 tablespoons butter and granulated sugar over low heat, stirring, until mixture is warm (105 to 115°F), butter is melted, and sugar is dissolved.
• Sift together flour and salt into bowl of standing mixer. Make a well in flour and add yeast mixture. Add warm milk in a slow stream, mixing at low speed with paddle attachment. Increase speed to medium and beat in eggs 1 at a time, then beat in raisins and zest. Continue to beat until dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. (Dough will be very sticky.)
• Butter kugelhopf mold with remaining tablespoon butter. Put 1 almond in each depression in bottom of mold (the almonds are only decorative; you can skip them altogether if your mold has no depressions), then scrape spoonfuls of dough evenly into mold (dough will be very elastic). Cover top of mold with oiled plastic wrap and a kitchen towel and let dough rise in a warm place until it fills pan, about 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Remove towel from kugelhopf and gently peel off plastic wrap. Bake kugelhopf in middle of oven 15 minutes, then loosely cover mold with foil and continue to bake until golden and a tester inserted in center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes more. Cool in pan 2 minutes, then invert cake onto a rack to cool completely, about 1 hour. Dust with confectioners sugar.

KUGELHOPF

Steps:

• Dissolve the yeast with the sugar in the warm water and let it proof.
• Sift the flour, putting 2 cups in each of two bowls.
• Set one bowl aside.
• Work together 2 cups of flour and the soft butter (this may be done in the electric mixer).
• Mix in the salt and the eggs, one at a time, beating until very thoroughly incorporated.
• In alternate batches, add the remaining 2 cups flour and the yeast mixture.
• Mix in the electric mixer or with a wooden spoon until thoroughly blended and elastic, then stir in the raisins.
• Put in a large, lightly floured bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in bulk, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch the dough down.
• Heavily butter a standard 10-inch Kugelhoph mold or a 10-inch tube pan and sprinkle half the sliced almonds around the bottom of the mold (the butter will make them adhere).
• Pour or spoon half the dough into the mold, sprinkle in the rest of the almonds, and add the remaining dough.
• Let rise again until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 475 degrees F.
• for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees and continue baking until nicely browned, about 40 to 45 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let stand for 3 minutes in the pan, then invert onto a cooling rack.

GUGELHUPF / KUGLOF / KUGELHOPF - GERMAN/HUNGARIAN COFFEE CAKE

Steps:

• Into a food processor, place flours, lemon rinds, 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar and butter. Process until mixture is crumbly. Set aside.
• In small bowl, warm milk to about 115°F stir in remaining tablespoon of powdered sugar and package of yeast. Let sit until bubbly (about 10 minutes).
• Separate 4 eggs - beat yolks and refrigerate whites, to save for filling.
• Add yolks to the yeast mixture.
• In large bowl place flour/butter crumbles and pour eggs/yeast over top.
• Keeping it inside the bowl, mix and knead the dough one handed (use both hands if necessary) until smooth - IMPORTANT: dough will be very gooey and sticky- DO NOT add more flour, just work the bumps out.
• Once dough is smooth - cover bowl tightly with plastic and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours).
• Now work on your filling:.
• Place walnuts, powdered sugar and cocoa into food processor. Chop until walnuts are finally grounded.
• Transfer to a bowl and let sit inside refrigerator until dough is ready.
• When dough is ready: Heavily flour your work surface. (I like to spread out a large cheese cloth on my surface and flour it.).
• Remove dough from bowl and roll out into a large rectangle.
• Once that is formed, remove egg whites and whip them in a bowl until stiff peaks form.
• Fold in the grounded nut mixture.
• Spread this filling over the dough rectangle and starting at one side, roll it up like a jelly roll. (this is when it helps to have the cheese cloth under it.).
• Seal the finishing edge with a bit of water.
• Now lift it carefully and place it into a well greased and floured bundt pan. (this task can be done alone, but helps if you have someone to help you lift the roll.).
• Set pan in a cold oven to continue to rise for 2 1/2 hours or until dough is near the rim of the pan.
• Now bake at 325°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes. If during that time the top begins to get too dark before it's ready, lay a piece of foil over the top.
• Allow it cool, then turn out carefully.
• Serve plain or sprinkle with powdered sugar.
• Refrigerate uneaten portions to maintain freshness. Slices are good cold or warmed in the microwave.
• Enjoy!