ROMANIAN COZONAC OR COLAC - A CHRISTMAS BREAD
At Christmas time Romanian mothers readied the dough for baking these delicious breads with a variety of fillings. The smells of Cozonac baking would stir my senses. As a little girl, I knew there would be merriment and lots of good food. On Christmas Eve, relatives and their friends with musical instruments moved from house to house in the large Romanian community where I grew up. They would serenade us with Romanian Christmas songs and my mother would lay out Cozonac, Placinta with apples or sweetened cottage cheese, yeast doughnuts with lemon curd filling, and other lovely Old World style baking. There would be fresh sarmale (cabbage rolls), mititea, (sausage), pickled cucumbers, liquors and liqueurs, and home made wine. If families could afford it, money was also given to the carollers which would be divided between them at the end of their carolling. The feast was the carollers' reward for bringing joy in our homes, and was my signal that Mosu Craciun (Father Christmas) was about to arrive. The carollers moved throughout the Romanian community all night, during Christmas Eve, until dawn. I would sneak out of bed to watch the muscicians and listen to the carols. When they were gone I was sent to my bed, but quietly sneaked a peek to watch my parents put out the few toys for the youngest children and stockings filled with fruit nuts and cookies for the elders, and perhaps new mittens and socks. I was the eldest girl. There are many variations of fillings for the Cozonac. The basic dough does not vary much.
Provided by TOOLBELT DIVA
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 3h45m
Yield 1 loaf, 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- For the Dough: Heat the milk to lukewarm.
- In a separate bowl, crumble yeast.
- Add 2 tsp sugar, 2 tbsp milk; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, place the 4 cups flour.
- To the lukewarm milk, add 3 Tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, the melted butter, lightly beaten eggs, (and optional food colouring).
- Add yeast mixture to remaining milk.
- Beat all with with rotary beater until thoroughly blended.
- Pour mixture over flour and work in, with a wooden spoon, until all flour has mixed well with milk mixture.
- Now, knead with hands for about 5 minutes or until dough will not stick too your hands.
- Cover with clean tea towel and place in warm spot. Allow dough to rise until double in size.
- Punch down and knead again for 2 minutes.
- Let rise again.
- Roll out dough and fill with your favourite filling.
- Cheese Filling: Cream cheese well, with fork.
- Add cornstarch and egg yolks and mix well.
- Add sour cream, 1 or 2 tbsp at a time.
- Work quickly and mix thoroughly.
- Add 4 tbsp sugar and flavouring.
- Spread over the dough, and bake in a moderate oven (350°F) until done.
- After 45 minutes, check for doneness.
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Mar Ador
[email protected]This cozonac is a must-try for any bread lover! The bread is so soft and fluffy, and the filling is incredibly flavorful. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly. I will definitely be making this again and again!
SR_ Mobile Technology Service
[email protected]This cozonac is a beautiful and delicious bread that is perfect for any special occasion. The bread is soft and fluffy, and the filling is flavorful and moist. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly. I will definitely be making th
Zoila curillo
[email protected]This cozonac is a delicious and festive bread that is perfect for any holiday gathering. The bread is soft and fluffy, and the filling is flavorful and moist. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly. I will definitely be making thi
Tofajjal Hosan
[email protected]This cozonac is a must-try for any bread lover! The bread is so soft and fluffy, and the filling is incredibly flavorful. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly. I will definitely be making this again and again!
Soboj Mia
[email protected]This cozonac is a beautiful and delicious bread that is perfect for any special occasion. The bread is soft and fluffy, and the filling is flavorful and moist. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly. I will definitely be making th
Foward Mupayiki
[email protected]This cozonac is a delicious and festive bread that is perfect for any holiday gathering. The bread is soft and fluffy, and the filling is flavorful and moist. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly. I will definitely be making thi
Natasha Cejku
[email protected]This cozonac is a must-try for any bread lover! The bread is so soft and fluffy, and the filling is incredibly flavorful. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly. I will definitely be making this again and again!
Connie-maii Mclean
[email protected]This cozonac is a beautiful and delicious bread that is perfect for any special occasion. The bread is soft and fluffy, and the filling is flavorful and moist. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly. I will definitely be making th
Dani Dawson
[email protected]This cozonac is a delicious and festive bread that is perfect for any holiday gathering. The bread is soft and fluffy, and the filling is flavorful and moist. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly. I will definitely be making thi
Harley Lalley
[email protected]This cozonac is a perfect holiday bread! The bread is so soft and fluffy, and the filling is incredibly flavorful. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly. I will definitely be making this again and again!
Limakatso Matee
[email protected]This cozonac is absolutely delicious! The bread is so soft and fluffy, and the filling is incredibly flavorful. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly. I will definitely be making this again and again!
Tyra Davis
[email protected]This cozonac is a must-try for any bread lover! The bread is so soft and fluffy, and the filling is incredibly flavorful. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly. I will definitely be making this again and again!
james mcmenamin
[email protected]This cozonac is the best I've ever had! The bread is so light and fluffy, and the filling is perfectly balanced. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly. I will definitely be making this again and again!
Haani Khan
[email protected]I love this cozonac recipe! It's so easy to make, and the bread always turns out perfectly. I've made it for Christmas, Easter, and even just for a special treat. It's always a hit!
Hannes Myburgh
[email protected]This cozonac is absolutely delicious! The bread is so soft and fluffy, and the filling is incredibly flavorful. I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out perfectly. I will definitely be making this again!
Laila Nur
[email protected]I've been making this cozonac recipe for years, and it never disappoints. It's always a hit with my family and friends. The bread is so soft and fluffy, and the filling is perfectly balanced. I highly recommend this recipe!
Aneesa Afridi
[email protected]This cozonac is a labor of love, but it's definitely worth the effort. The bread is so light and airy, and the filling is incredibly rich and flavorful. It's the perfect centerpiece for any holiday table.
Zeshan Malik
[email protected]I'm not much of a baker, but I decided to give this recipe a try for my family's Christmas gathering. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to make, and the bread turned out beautifully. Everyone raved about it!
Brittney Thompson
[email protected]I've tried many cozonac recipes over the years, but this one is by far the best. The instructions were clear and easy to follow, and the end result was absolutely stunning. My family loved it!
Atif Aziz
[email protected]This cozonac recipe is a true gem! The bread turned out incredibly soft and fluffy, with a perfectly golden crust. The filling was bursting with flavor, and the overall taste was simply divine. I highly recommend this recipe to anyone looking for an