Latin American Chinese Style Buccellato

Ingredients

In this Latin American Chinese adaptation of Buccellato, we incorporate Latin American and Chinese spices and flavors to create a unique twist on the classic Italian dish. The original Buccellato is typically filled with dried fruits and nuts, but our version adds Latin American spices like cinnamon and cloves, as well as Chinese spices like star anise and ginger. This fusion of flavors creates a delightful blend of sweet, savory, and aromatic notes. We alse have the original recipe for Buccellato, so you can check it out.

• 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons (8g) active dry yeast 2 teaspoons (8g) active dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) salt 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) salt
• 1/2 cup (120ml) warm milk 1/2 cup (120ml) warm milk
• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
• 2 eggs 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25g) ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon (1.25g) ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25g) ground star anise 1/4 teaspoon (1.25g) ground star anise
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25g) ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon (1.25g) ground ginger
• 1/2 cup (75g) raisins 1/2 cup (75g) raisins
• 1/2 cup (75g) chopped dried apricots 1/2 cup (75g) chopped dried apricots
• 1/2 cup (60g) chopped almonds 1/2 cup (60g) chopped almonds
• 1/2 cup (60g) chopped walnuts 1/2 cup (60g) chopped walnuts
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 47g, 18g
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.3g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
3. 3.
   Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
4. 4.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. 6.
   In the meantime, prepare the filling by combining the ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground star anise, ground ginger, raisins, dried apricots, chopped almonds, and chopped walnuts in a bowl. Mix well.
7. 7.
   Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Roll it out into a large rectangle on a floured surface.
8. 8.
   Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
9. 9.
   Starting from one long side, tightly roll the dough into a log shape.
10. 10.
    Place the rolled dough onto a greased baking sheet, seam side down, and shape it into a ring by joining the ends together.
11. 11.
    Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
12. 12.
    Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
13. 13.
    Brush the surface of the dough with the beaten egg wash.
14. 14.
    Bake the Buccellato in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown.
15. 15.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
16. 16.
    Once cooled, dust the top of the Buccellato with powdered sugar.
17. 17.
    Slice and serve.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Raisins — Soak the raisins in warm water for 10 minutes before using to plump them up.
• Dried apricots — If the dried apricots are too dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes before chopping.
• Almonds and walnuts — Toast the chopped almonds and walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant. This will enhance their flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a tablespoon of orange zest to the dough.
• If you prefer a sweeter filling, you can mix in a tablespoon of honey or brown sugar with the dried fruits and nuts.
• Serve the Buccellato warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
• If you don't have all the spices listed for the filling, you can use a pre-made pumpkin pie spice blend as a substitute.
• Leftover Buccellato can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Slice the Latin American Chinese Style Buccellato into thick slices and serve it as a dessert or a sweet treat with a cup of tea or coffee. It can also be enjoyed as a breakfast pastry.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some additional powdered sugar on top of the sliced Buccellato just before serving. You can also garnish the plate with fresh mint leaves or a dusting of cocoa powder for an extra touch of elegance.