Gigi’s Hungarian Almond Roll
James Carrier
Yields Makes one 2-pound loaf

How to Make It

Step 1
1

In a bowl, sprinkle yeast over 6 tablespoons warm (about 110°) water; let stand until soft, about 5 minutes. Add sugar, 1 egg yolk, 6 tablespoons butter (cut into small pieces), and 1 1/2 cups flour; stir until evenly moistened.

Step 2
2

To knead with a dough hook, beat at medium speed until dough pulls cleanly from bowl, about 5 minutes. To knead by hand, scrape dough onto a lightly floured board and knead until smooth, about 10 minutes, adding flour (as little as possible) if necessary to prevent sticking; return to bowl.

Step 3
3

Cover dough with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until it's puffy enough to hold an impression when pressed with a finger (dough won't double in volume), about 1 hour.

Step 4
4

With dough hook or your hands, punch air out of dough; lift dough from bowl and shape into a smooth ball. Set on the center of a floured pastry cloth or clean, smooth-textured dish towel. Pat dough flat; with a floured rolling pin, roll into a 14- to 15-inch square. Spread or evenly dot Almond Filling over dough to within 1 inch of edges. Lift cloth from one side to roll dough into a compact loaf. Gently lift loaf and lay seam down on a buttered 12- by 17-inch baking sheet. Pinch ends to seal, then fold under. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until dough is slightly puffy, about 45 minutes.

Step 5
5

In a small bowl, mix remaining egg yolk with milk. Brush loaf with yolk mixture; discard any remaining.

Step 6
6

Bake loaf on the center rack in a 325° regular or convection oven until rich golden brown, about 45 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool at least 1 hour. Serve at room temperature. Cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

Step 7
7

Almond Filling: In a food processor, whirl 1 cup unblanched almonds to fine meal. In a 10- to 12-inch nonstick frying pan, combine almonds, 3/4 cup raisins, 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup milk, and 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel. Stir over high heat until mixture is thick enough to hold a clean trail for a few seconds when you draw a spoon across pan bottom. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Let cool at least 30 minutes.

Step 8
8

Nutritional analysis per ounce.

Ingredients

 1 package active dry yeast
 1/4 cup sugar
 2 large egg yolks
  About 6 tablespoons butter or margarine
  About 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  Almond Filling (recipe follows)
 1 tablespoon milk or water

Directions

Step 1
1

In a bowl, sprinkle yeast over 6 tablespoons warm (about 110°) water; let stand until soft, about 5 minutes. Add sugar, 1 egg yolk, 6 tablespoons butter (cut into small pieces), and 1 1/2 cups flour; stir until evenly moistened.

Step 2
2

To knead with a dough hook, beat at medium speed until dough pulls cleanly from bowl, about 5 minutes. To knead by hand, scrape dough onto a lightly floured board and knead until smooth, about 10 minutes, adding flour (as little as possible) if necessary to prevent sticking; return to bowl.

Step 3
3

Cover dough with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until it's puffy enough to hold an impression when pressed with a finger (dough won't double in volume), about 1 hour.

Step 4
4

With dough hook or your hands, punch air out of dough; lift dough from bowl and shape into a smooth ball. Set on the center of a floured pastry cloth or clean, smooth-textured dish towel. Pat dough flat; with a floured rolling pin, roll into a 14- to 15-inch square. Spread or evenly dot Almond Filling over dough to within 1 inch of edges. Lift cloth from one side to roll dough into a compact loaf. Gently lift loaf and lay seam down on a buttered 12- by 17-inch baking sheet. Pinch ends to seal, then fold under. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until dough is slightly puffy, about 45 minutes.

Step 5
5

In a small bowl, mix remaining egg yolk with milk. Brush loaf with yolk mixture; discard any remaining.

Step 6
6

Bake loaf on the center rack in a 325° regular or convection oven until rich golden brown, about 45 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool at least 1 hour. Serve at room temperature. Cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

Step 7
7

Almond Filling: In a food processor, whirl 1 cup unblanched almonds to fine meal. In a 10- to 12-inch nonstick frying pan, combine almonds, 3/4 cup raisins, 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup milk, and 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel. Stir over high heat until mixture is thick enough to hold a clean trail for a few seconds when you draw a spoon across pan bottom. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Let cool at least 30 minutes.

Step 8
8

Nutritional analysis per ounce.

Gigi’s Hungarian Almond Roll

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