The most loved Romanian dessert: Walnut buns| Una dintre cele mai iubite rețete: melci cu nucă

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil provides a dairy-free option with similar fat content.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk is lower in calories, while water can be used for a lighter texture.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey adds natural sweetness, while brown sugar is often less expensive.

walnuts

🥗Healthier: pecans

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Pecans are a healthier nut option, while sunflower seeds are more affordable.

Weigh 750 g of flour.

Mix 7 g of dry yeast with 1.5 tablespoons of sugar and a few tablespoons of warm milk from the 500 ml needed for the recipe; let it sit for about 10 minutes.

Melt 200 g of butter in a pot and let it cool slightly.

Add 100 g of sugar, 2 egg yolks, a pinch of salt, vanilla extract, and lemon zest to the flour after the yeast has risen.

Knead the dough, gradually adding the melted butter and warm milk until a smooth dough forms; about 450 ml of warm milk is used.

Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it is smooth and elastic; let it rise for about 1 hour until doubled in volume.

Beat the 2 egg whites with a pinch of salt and a little lemon juice until foamy, then gradually add sugar to form stiff peaks.

Gently fold in 200 g of ground walnuts into the egg white mixture.

Roll out the dough to about 1.5 to 2 cm thick, spread the egg white and walnut mixture over the surface, and roll the dough carefully.

Cut the rolled dough into slices about 2 cm wide, yielding 16 buns, and place them in a generously buttered baking dish; let rise for another 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).

After the buns have risen, brush them with beaten egg and bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes until golden brown.

Let cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving, optionally with honey.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens