Category Archives: Holidays

Filled Brioche (Tang Zhong Method)

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These Filled Brioche using the oriental Tang Zhong Method make the lightest and fluffiest sweet rolls ever. I put off making these rolls for a long time thinking them complicated, but nothing could be further than the truth. There’s only a tiny additional step that takes 5 minutes, that is the “water roux” which is simply a small amount of water and flour boiled together to a paste. This gel like starter is what creates the softness and also prolongs the freshness of these rolls. Well worth the extra effort! By the way this recipe lends itself to a myriad of different shapes and fillings as you’ll see in my post. Try it – and you’ll never go back to the usual method! Continue reading →

Blueberry Panettone

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This Blueberry Panettone is so easy to make with a bread machine. By now there are an infinite variety of panettoni on the market in Italy. This year I opted for a blueberry version which was nowhere to be found so I just went ahead and made one! The kneading and two rises were done by my bread machine after which I pulled out the dough and shaped it into two 1/2 kg. paper panettoni cases and two mini ones and then baked them in my conventional oven. I have to say it wasn’t much harder than making bread. I only had to add the (dried) blueberries and finish off with the last rising before popping them into the oven. This is not the overly sweet store bought panettone that can last weeks in your cupboard. There are no emulsifiers or preservatives here but it’s so wholesomely good that it wouldn’t last long anyway! Continue reading →

Monza New Year Star Cake

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The Chocolate Clock at the “Duls de Sant Bioeus ” pastry shop in Via Volta, Monza is ticking away. Two minutes until the new year: 2019!! Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful New year!! Also a new cake has been created featuring the traditional ingredients of the “torta paesana” with a new twist. Continue reading →