Share
The aroma of freshly made bread—round, toasted, and with malty undertones that float in the air—might be the scent of the fondest kitchen memories, if you could smell them. Baked sweet bread is the only thing that may possibly surpass that. It makes sense that sweet breads are treasured in kitchens and hearts everywhere.
Sweet breads come in a multitude of shapes, such as loaves, buns, and plaits, and they're always finished with a liberal amount of butter or egg wash. Sweet breads are culturally diverse due to variances in the dough, filling, and topping, which vary depending on the region of the world and local customs.
Tsoureki, Greece
Tsoureki is a classic Greek Easter bread that is distinguished by its braided form, which can take the form of a circle or an extended loaf. Three strands of tsoureki should be braided, according to tradition. Usually, milk, eggs, butter, and flavourings like cardamom, vanilla, mahleb (a spice), and orange zest are used to make the bread.
It should be soft, chewy, moist, and tender after baking. Though occasionally it is baked with eggs coloured crimson, signifying the blood of Christ and his resurrection, it is often served with one egg tinted red on top. Since ancient times, Greeks have been making tsoureki, which is customarily offered around the end of Lent.
Brioche, France
With a high butter, milk and egg content that makes it creamy, silky and flaky, this baked speciality is a French variation of viennoiserie, a hybrid between pastry and bread. Since ancient times, people have treasured it as a status symbol and a delicacy.
It was developed, according to a common story, by the Norman Vikings, who took the techniques for producing butter with them when they established themselves in France in the ninth century. Since bris and hocher indicate to knead and stir, it is thought that the term brioche originated from those words when it was first written in literature in 1404.
Pan De Muerto, Mexico
Every year on November 2, people commemorate the Day of the Dead by eating pan de muerto, a classic sweet bread from Mexico. The circular loaf with strips of dough stacked on top to mimic human bones is what defines the bread's shape and decorations.
It is typically glazed with butter and orange zest on top before being dusted with confectioners' sugar. It is comprised of flour, eggs, milk, butter, sugar, and yeast. Cinnamon and anise seed are two other flavourings. Additionally, pan de muerto can be made into different shapes, including angels, animals, or skulls.
Chalka, Poland
Chałka, a soft and sweet Polish bread, is often formed into a braided loaf and made with a thick yeasted dough. It is typically topped with sliced almonds, sesame or poppy seeds, and raisins or other dried fruits on occasion.
Although Chałka is a popular Jewish bread, Poles have always associated it with Easter or Christmas. When served sliced, it tastes good either way with butter or other types of fruit preserves.
Panettone, Italy
This well-known Italian sweet bread, filled with raisins and candied peels from oranges and lemons, is customarily consumed around Christmas. Pantone is a popular gift that friends and family offer as a way to show one another some love and wish each other a nice holiday.
You usually pair this delectable dessert with eggnog, ice cream, or hot chocolate. According to legend, a Milanese nobleman called Ugheto Atellani created panettone to win over Adalgisa, the local baker's daughter, whom he fell in love with. The bread is said to have been served during their wedding.
Banana Bread, The United States Of America
Mashed bananas are used to make banana bread, a sweet, moist American bread. It took some time for bananas to be used in sweets when they initially became popular in the United States in the late 19th century. It is said that housewives discovered pearlash, a chemical leavening agent, in the 19th century, which is when bread was first prepared.
When baking powder and soda gained popularity in the 1930s, this bread saw a huge surge in demand. Despite being an American innovation, banana bread is also highly popular in Vietnam. There are two types of banana bread that are prepared there: steamed banana cake or banana pudding with a golden-brown crust.
Kardemommeboller, Sweden
Traditional Swedish cardamom buns are known as kardemommeboller. Typically, ingredients for this delicious knotted pastry include milk, butter, yeast, sugar, flour, crushed cardamom seeds, and salt. After heating the milk, it is combined with the butter and allowed to melt.
To produce a firm dough, the mixture is combined with sugar, salt, cardamom, yeast, and flour. After allowing the dough to rise, it is rolled out and knotted. After baking for a little while, they are immediately coated with butter.
