A fragrant and soft bread, perfect for the holiday season or for a special breakfast! The wildflower honey and Vin Santo make this bread unique, with a sweet and rich flavor.
Ingredients:
🌾 500 g of soft wheat flour 00
🍞 25 g of fresh brewer’s yeast (or 7 g of dry yeast)
🥛 180 g of whole milk
🍯 150 g of multi-flower honey
🧈 150 g of butter
🥚 1 egg
🍋 Zest of 1 lemon
🧂 A pinch of salt
🍇 250 g of sultanas
🍷 Vin Santo (to soak the raisins)
🌰 Almonds (to taste, to decorate)
💧 Water (to knead)
Preparation:
Prepare the Lievitino:
In a bowl, mix 250 g of flour, fresh yeast (or dry yeast) and enough water to obtain a soft dough. Cover with a cloth and leave to rise for 3 hours in a warm place.
Soak the Raisins:
Place the sultanas in a bowl and cover with Vin Santo. Let it rest for 30 minutes until the raisins soften and absorb the flavor of the wine.
Combine the Ingredients:
After 3 hours, add the honey, melted butter, egg, lemon zest and a pinch of salt to the dough. Knead until the mixture is smooth and elastic.
Add the Raisins and Almonds:
Squeeze the raisins and add them to the dough along with a few chopped almonds (optional). Continue kneading to evenly distribute the raisins.
First Leavening:
Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rise for 10 hours in a warm place. You can put it in the oven with the light on for optimal leavening.
Shape the Bread:
After the rising time, take the dough and shape it into a loaf. Cut a cross on top with a knife for a traditional touch.
Baking:
Preheat the oven to 180°C in fan mode. Place the bread in the oven and bake for about 1 hour, but remember to always do the toothpick test to check if it is cooked (it should come out dry). Each oven can vary, so check towards the end of cooking.
Finishing:
Take the bread out of the oven and let it cool on a rack. While it is still warm, you can decorate it with a little icing sugar or more chopped almonds, if desired.
Tips and Tricks:
Variations: You can replace the raisins with dried dates, prunes or dried cranberries for a different touch.
For an even richer flavor, add a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the dough.
Storage: The bread will keep soft for 3-4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can also freeze it once it is cold.
