Azerbaijani Sweet Bread - Shirin Chorek

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
• 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cardamom 1 tsp ground cardamom
• ½ tsp ground saffron ½ tsp ground saffron
• ½ tsp salt ½ tsp salt
• 120ml (½ cup) warm milk 120ml (½ cup) warm milk
• 120g (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted 120g (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 1 egg yolk, for egg wash 1 egg yolk, for egg wash
• Slivered almonds, for garnish Slivered almonds, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 47g, 15g
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.4g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, cardamom, saffron, and salt.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, melted butter, and eggs.
3. 3.
   Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture.
4. 4.
   Mix until a soft dough forms, then transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until 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.
   Punch down the dough and divide it into equal portions. Shape each portion into a round or braided loaf.
7. 7.
   Place the loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
8. 8.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
9. 9.
   In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk with a splash of water. Brush the loaves with the egg wash and sprinkle slivered almonds on top.
10. 10.
    Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
11. 11.
    Remove from the oven and let the bread cool on a wire rack before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Saffron — To enhance the flavor and aroma of saffron, soak the threads in a tablespoon of warm milk for 10 minutes before adding them to the dough.
• Cardamom — For the best flavor, use freshly ground cardamom pods instead of pre-ground cardamom.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a handful of raisins or chopped dried fruits to the dough.
• To achieve a shiny crust, brush the bread with a mixture of honey and warm water instead of the egg wash.
• Serve the Shirin Chorek warm with a dollop of clotted cream or butter for an extra indulgence.
• If you prefer a sweeter bread, you can increase the amount of sugar in the dough.
• Leftover Shirin Chorek can be toasted and enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee.

Serving advice

Serve the freshly baked Shirin Chorek as a centerpiece for breakfast or brunch. Slice it and enjoy it on its own or spread some butter or jam for an extra treat. It pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of Azerbaijani tea.

Presentation advice

To enhance the visual appeal of the Shirin Chorek, create intricate patterns on the surface of the bread before baking. You can use a sharp knife to make decorative cuts or braid the dough for an elegant touch. Sprinkle slivered almonds on top for a beautiful finishing touch.