Denise says:

Here we have the flavours of Yom Tov all wrapped up in a circular bread dough.

September time is when all the apples are in season both cooking and eating. Cooking apples are too tart to be eaten raw, which is why sugar is always added during cooking. They make good purees, sauces and a brilliant base for apple pies and cakes.

Dessert apples can be eaten either as a savoury or sweet fruit. Enjoy with cheese and chutneys or add to stews or roast with chicken! They are also great in pies, cakes, muffins, or just take delight in eating them raw as part of a healthy snack. Apples slices should always be brushed with lemon juice to prevent browning.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes plus 1 ½ hour rising time
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Makes: 2 medium sized loaves

Ingredients:

600g strong white flour
1 sachet dried yeast
2 teaspoons salt
1 egg
1 heaped tablespoon clear honey
2 eating apples – peeled and cored
30g raisins
2 teaspoons cinnamon
100ml vegetable oil
150ml warm water

Method

1)Combine the flour, yeast, salt, egg, honey, raisins and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Using a dough hook if available mix the ingredients together.
2)Place the raw eating apples into a food processor and mix to semi-pureed mixture.
3)Add this to the bread mixture together with the vegetable oil and warm water.
4)Continue to mix the dough for 2 –3 minutes so that it is smooth and the mixing bowl is clean.
5)Remove the dough from the bowl. Lightly grease this bowl with some olive oil. Knead the dough lightly and return it to the mixing bowl to rise. Cover with some cling film.
6)Leave in a warm place for 1½ hours or until double in size.
7)Pre-heat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/Gas Mark 6.
8)Knock back the dough and knead into a long sausage. Curl this into a snail like shell or as desired.
9)Glaze with egg yolk.
10)Bake for 30 minutes or until golden and when you turn the bread over its feels light and when tapped on the underside sounds hollow.

To serve the stylish way: Dip into honey and dust with some cinnamon. Serve slightly warm – if possible!
Tagged in: Ashkenazi, Bread, Desserts, Parev, Rosh Hashanah, Shabbat