Coffee Bread (咖啡面包)
咖啡面包, or Coffee Bread, is a delightful treat for coffee lovers, combining the rich aroma of coffee with the soft, sweet texture of bread. This baked good often features a coffee-flavored dough and can include a variety of fillings or toppings, such as coffee icing, chocolate chips, or a coffee bean glaze. Here’s a basic recipe to create your own Coffee Bread at home, perfect for breakfast or as a snack.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 500 g all-purpose flour
- 250 ml warm milk
- 10 g active dry yeast
- 50 g sugar
- 1 egg beaten
- 50 g unsalted butter softened
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee powder dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water
For the Coffee Filling:
- 100 g unsalted butter softened
- 100 g brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee powder dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder optional
Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until frothy.
- Add the sugar, beaten egg, softened butter, salt, and the dissolved coffee. Mix well.
- Gradually incorporate the flour into the mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, covering it with a damp cloth. Allow it to rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Make the Coffee Filling:
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, dissolved coffee, and cinnamon (if using) until it forms a smooth paste.
Assemble the Coffee Bread:
- Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle.
- Spread the coffee filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small margin around the edges.
- Roll the dough up tightly, starting from one of the long sides, to form a log.
- Cut the log into equal slices (if making rolls) or place the whole log into a greased loaf pan.
Second Rising:
- Cover the shaped dough and let it rise again for about 30-45 minutes, or until puffy.
Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Bake the coffee bread for 20-25 minutes (for rolls) or 30-35 minutes (for a loaf), or until the top is golden brown.
Prepare the Glaze (Optional):
- While the bread is baking, whisk together powdered sugar and brewed coffee to create a smooth glaze.
Finish and Serve:
- Once the bread is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly.
- Drizzle the coffee glaze over the warm bread.
- Serve the Coffee Bread warm or at room temperature, ideally with a cup of coffee.