Homemade Pogne with a Twist

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
• 10g (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast 10g (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 250ml (1 cup) warm milk 250ml (1 cup) warm milk
• 3 large eggs 3 large eggs
• 100g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened 100g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp orange blossom water 1 tsp orange blossom water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp salt
• Zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 orange

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 9g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 43g, 12g
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.3g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and orange zest.
3. 3.
   Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the yeast mixture, eggs, softened butter, orange blossom water, and vanilla extract.
4. 4.
   Mix the ingredients together until a dough forms.
5. 5.
   Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
6. 6.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
7. 7.
   Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles and shape it into a round loaf.
8. 8.
   Using a sharp knife, make a deep cross pattern on top of the loaf.
9. 9.
   Place the shaped dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
10. 10.
    Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
11. 11.
    Bake the Pogne for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
12. 12.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Orange zest — Make sure to use organic oranges and wash them thoroughly before zesting to avoid any pesticide residue.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more pronounced orange flavor, you can add a few drops of orange extract in addition to the orange zest.
• If you prefer a sweeter Pogne, you can sprinkle some powdered sugar on top before serving.
• To achieve a softer crust, cover the Pogne with a clean kitchen towel while it cools down.

Serving advice

Serve the Pogne warm or at room temperature. It is delicious on its own, but you can also enjoy it with a spread of butter or your favorite jam.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, dust the Pogne with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar just before serving. This will add an elegant touch and make it even more inviting.