Spring bread

traditional south libyan buns

Author: @FurqanReisen Serves: 20 Time: 15′ prep + 3h raising + 25′ baking

Difficulty: easy

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon soft butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon curcuma
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• ca. 8 cups all purpose flour (might need more or less)
• pinch of salt
• melted butter for brushing
• powdered sugar for sprinkling

Procedure

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Add the eggs, granulated sugar, oil, butter, vanilla extract, curcuma and vinegar to a bowl and mix until will combined.

Add the yeast to the cup of water mix together then add to the bowl and mix.

Add the flour, baking powder and the salt and start kneading until you get a slightly firm dough. (add the flour gradually while kneading until you get the right consistency).

Knead for extra few minutes then transfer to a clean bowl and cover.

Let the dough rise for an hour in a warm place.

Knead the dough one more time for a few minutes to let the air bubbles out then cover .

Let the dough rise for another hour in a warm place.

Divide the dough in 5 balls.

Take one ball and roll it on a surface covered with parchment paper until you get a long rod.

Twist the rod on both ends then bring the ends together and press them to form a ring .

Place the ring on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and repeat for the next 4 balls.

Make sure there is enough space between the rings as they are going to get bigger when baked.

Cover the rings with a towel and let them rise for another hour.

Bake in a preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes at 365 F (180 C) or until golden brown.

While still warm brush with butter then sprinkle powdered sugar on top.

Cut each ring in 4 wedges and serve with tea.

Bon apatite!

About the bread:

this traditional south libyan bread is baked to celebrate the first day of spring every year. People gift it to each other on (the spring day) along with candy, nuts and boiled eggs in nicely decorated traditional baskets.