Suikerbrood with a Twist

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) unsalted butter, softened 100g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 250ml (1 cup) whole milk, lukewarm 250ml (1 cup) whole milk, lukewarm
• 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 orange
• 150g (1 cup) pearl sugar 150g (1 cup) pearl sugar

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 52g, 20g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and instant yeast.
2. 2.
   Add the softened butter, lukewarm milk, granulated sugar, salt, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and orange zest to the bowl.
3. 3.
   Mix all the ingredients together until a dough forms.
4. 4.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   Place the dough back into the mixing bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
7. 7.
   Punch down the risen dough and knead it for a few minutes to release any air bubbles.
8. 8.
   Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in a greased loaf pan.
9. 9.
   Sprinkle the pearl sugar evenly over the top of the dough, pressing it gently to adhere.
10. 10.
    Cover the loaf pan with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
11. 11.
    Bake the Suikerbrood in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12. 12.
    Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Orange zest — Make sure to use organic oranges and wash them thoroughly before zesting to avoid any pesticide residue. Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the orange, being careful not to include the bitter white pith.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra indulgent treat, serve the Suikerbrood warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• If you can't find pearl sugar, you can substitute it with coarse sugar crystals or even crushed sugar cubes.
• To enhance the citrus flavor, you can add a few drops of orange extract to the dough.
• Make sure to let the Suikerbrood cool completely before slicing to allow the flavors to develop fully.
• This bread is best enjoyed within a day or two of baking, but you can store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the Suikerbrood sliced and enjoy it as is, or lightly toasted with a spread of butter. It pairs well with a cup of coffee or tea.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some powdered sugar on top of the Suikerbrood just before serving. This will add a touch of elegance and make it even more visually appealing.