Pandulce Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Add the butter, stir until melted and pour into a large bowl to cool.
• Dissolve yeast in the milk mixture. Mix in 1/3 cup sugar, salt, eggs and 2 cups flour. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces and form into rounds. With a rolling pin, roll the rounds into oval buns. Place them onto two lightly greased baking sheets. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• While the bread rises, make the topping: In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup sugar, 2/3 cup flour, butter until a crumb mixture forms. Stir in the egg yolks until well blended. Crumble the topping over the rolls so the entire surface is covered.
• Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until sugar topping is lightly browned.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Sift both types of flour, the baking powder, and salt together into a medium-sized mixing bowl; set aside. In a separate large-sized bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the sugar and butter until creamy. Add the eggs and mix until combined. When combined, stop the mixer and add the dry ingredients. Mix at a slow speed until combined. Add the milk, vanilla, orange oil, almond oil, and lemon oil. Stop the mixer and add the soaked raisins, fennel seeds, pignoli, and the lemon and orange peels. Mix until the dough is sticky and moist.
• On a floured counter top, gently shape the dough with your hands and divide it into 4 equal pieces. Form each piece into the shape of a mountain and place the dough mounds onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in the oven and bake for about 35 minutes. To test for doneness, insert a wooden skewer into the mounds. If the mounds are done, the wooden skewer should come out clean.
• Let the Pandolce cool completely. Wrap each loaf with plastic wrap, taking care to ensure that the wrapping is airtight. Tie each loaf with a ribbon. The flavors will develop with time. The Pandolce can be stored for about 2 months.