Delicious Hungarian Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake Recipe
Are you ready to experience a taste of Hungary? Look no further than this delicious recipe for Hungarian Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake, known in its native language as Aranygaluska.
This traditional Hungarian dessert has been enjoyed for generations, and it’s no wonder why. The sweet buttery dough is studded with raisins, coated in cinnamon and nuts, and soaked in a syrup-like glaze. The result? Many sugary balls of coffee cake dough that means “golden dumplings” in Hungarian.
Betty Crocker first published the recipe for Aranygaluska in her cookbook in 1972, extolling the virtues of this pull-apart cake that is also referred to as golden dumpling coffee cake or monkey bread. This recipe has been enjoyed by Jewish immigrants from Hungary and remains a staple among many Hungarian desserts.
So why not add this unique and delicious treat to your repertoire? With just a few key ingredients such as sweet butter, walnuts, sugar, eggs, salt, shortening, warm water, active dry yeast, flour, and cinnamon, you can create a mouth-watering dessert that will have your taste buds singing.
Join me as we explore the delectable world of Hungarian cuisine with this recipe for Aranygaluska.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Picture yourself in a cozy café in Budapest sipping on a steaming cup of coffee, and indulging in a slice of Hungarian Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake( Aranygaluska). The sweet aroma of cinnamon, raisins, walnuts and warm buttery puffs will captivate your senses. I promise this cake will make you fall in love with the flavors of Hungary.
There are many reasons to love this recipe, but let me tell you my top three. First, it’s an authentic recipe that has been passed down through generations of Hungarian families. You are not just making a cake, but you are also sharing a piece of history and culture with your loved ones.
Second, making this cake is easy and stress-free. With simple instructions and ingredients, you can create something that looks impressive without spending hours in the kitchen. Every bite will be worth it; I promise!
Third, this cake is versatile and perfect for any occasion. You can serve it as an appetizing breakfast pastry or a delicious dessert for your guests; you can even offer them during holidays and special events as it reflects Hungarian generosity.
The rich flavors of golden dumpling coffee cake will make your taste buds dance with joy. The raisins coated with cinnamon nuts syrup will give it sweetness with an excellent tang. Also worth mentioning is the golden walnut dumplings that melt in your mouth—a treat for nut lovers worldwide!
Once you try this recipe, I am confident that you will become obsessed with Hungarian cuisine. Bring the authenticity and richness of Hungary into your life by trying out the Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake( Aranygaluska). Trust me; it’s the best decision you’ll make for your palate!
Ingredient List
Let’s get this party started with the Ingredient List. You don’t need to break the bank to gather these ingredients for this delicious Hungarian Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake, Aranygaluska. Make sure you have your shopping list ready:
For the Dough:
- 2 cups of Flour
- 2 tablespoons of Sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon of Salt
- 1 package (2-1/4 teaspoons) of Active Dry Yeast
- 1/3 cup of Warm Water
- 1/4 cup of Shortening
- 1 beaten Egg
- 1 tablespoon of Sweet Butter at room temperature
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup of Sugar
- 1/2 cup of chopped Walnuts
- 1/2 cup of Raisins
- 1 tablespoon of Cinnamon
For the Syrup:
- 3/4 cup of Sugar
- 3/8 cup (6 tablespoons) of Water
- 2 tablespoons of Sweet Butter
Keep in mind that all these ingredients will help to create a rich and complex flavor for your cake dough studded with raisins coated in cinnamon and nuts syrup.
The Recipe How-To
Now that you have gathered all the ingredients needed, let’s get started with the recipe. Put on an apron, wash your hands and follow these instructions to make the delicious Hungarian Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake.
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Warm up 1 cup of milk and ¾ cup of sweet butter in a saucepan over low to medium heat.
- Dissolve 1 package (¼ oz) of active dry yeast and 2 tablespoons of sugar in ½ cup of warm water.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture with 3 cups of flour and a pinch of salt.
- Gradually add the warm milk-butter mixture to the mixing bowl while stirring until well mixed.
- Add two lightly beaten eggs to the dough.
Step 2: Form the Dumplings
- Combine 1 cup of raisins and 2 cups of chopped walnuts with cinnamon and sugar to your liking.
- Grease a fluted tube cake pan with shortening.
- Using a spoon, scoop out small pieces of dough and roll into balls, approximately one inch in diameter.
- Roll each ball into the raisin-nut mixture until coated evenly.
Step 3: Bake the Dumplings
- Preheat your oven up at 350°F (175°C).
- Arrange half of the coated dough balls evenly spaced inside the tube pan.
- Drizzle melted butter over these golden dumplings, then repeat step two until you used all your coated dough balls.
- Bake uncovered for around 45 minutes (until golden).
- Invert onto a plate immediately after taking out from the oven.
Step 4: Finish It Up
- While it is still warm, brush apricot jam all over both top and bottom surface generously using a pastry brush, allowing it to soak it up slowly.
- Serve this Hungarian Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake in thick slices along with whipped cream or drizzled sour cream for a delightful contrast.
Enjoy your new recipe as you impress your family or friends with your culinary skills!
Substitutions and Variations
When it comes to cooking or baking, substitutions and variations are inevitable. This Hungarian Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake recipe is no exception. While the traditional recipe calls for specific ingredients, there are some substitutions and variations that you can try to make the recipe more personalized or to fit your pantry.
If you’re not a fan of raisins, you can substitute them with other dried fruits such as cranberries, cherries or chopped dates. The same goes with walnuts; substitute them with almonds or pecans, or any nuts of your liking.
For the dough, you can use sour cream instead of shortening to add tanginess, or replace warm water with milk for added richness. You can also experiment by adding a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest in the dough for a citrusy twist.
If you want to skip the yeast altogether, you can try making a quick bread version by omitting the yeast and increasing the baking powder to two teaspoons. It will produce a denser cake with a slightly different texture but still delicious.
Another variation is to add a layer of apricot jam on top of the dough before adding melted butter and sprinkling sugar. This will give your coffee cake a fruity and tangy taste that complements well with the cinnamon and nuts.
If you’re looking for a vegan version of the Hungarian Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake, substitute butter and eggs with vegan alternatives. Use vegan butter or margarine and replace eggs with applesauce or flax eggs (made by mixing 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water).
Remember, substitutions and variations are encouraged in cooking and baking. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make this recipe your own!
Serving and Pairing
Once your Hungarian Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake (Aranygaluska) is baked to perfection, you’ll need to decide how to serve and pair it. The possibilities are endless, but I have a few recommendations that never fail.
Firstly, the classic way of serving Aranygaluska is with a side of coffee. The cake itself is sweet and fluffy, making for a wonderful contrast with a bitter cup of joe. You can try serving this dish with different types of coffee, from Hungarian dark roast to Colombian medium roast, whatever tickles your taste buds for the day.
If you’re feeling more adventurous in pairing, why not try a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top? The cold ice cream complements the warm cake perfectly and adds yet another layer of flavor to the mix.
Another option would be to drizzle some apricot jam onto your Aranygaluska before serving. The tartness of the jam cuts through the sweetness of the dough and raisins, bringing out new dimensions of flavor in every bite.
Finally, if you’re looking to add a bit of tanginess to this sugary treat while sticking with tradition, try serving it alongside a dollop of sour cream. This extra tangy option has been done by many in Hungary for decades and adds just the right amount of creaminess as well as deep flavor contrast.
Regardless of how you serve this dish, be sure to prepare it correctly for a perfect pairing every time.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
One of the great things about this Hungarian Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake (Aranygaluska) recipe is that you can make it ahead of time! This means you can easily prepare it the night before and have it ready for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert the next day.
When you’ve baked your Aranygaluska, let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. Normally, you can store it at room temperature for up to 2 days as long as it stays covered. If you plan on storing it for longer than that, put your cake in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze it for up to 3 months without glaze.
Reheating your Hungarian Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake is fast and easy. Simply remove the cake from its container, place it on a microwave-safe plate or platter, and reheat it in 20-30 seconds intervals until warmed through.
Also, another tip: drizzle some apricot jam over the top of each piece while reheating so that your cake becomes sticky and gooey like the first time you prepared it. It will add more flavor layers to your already amazing Aranygaluska.
Remember not to overheat your cake; otherwise, it may become tough and dry. Always keep an eye on when reheating in order to ensure your golden dumpling cake is perfect.
Tips for Perfect Results
To make the perfect Hungarian Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake, attention to detail is key. Here are some tips to help you achieve perfect results every time.
Firstly, make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before starting the recipe. This allows for them to blend together easily and evenly. Cold ingredients, particularly butter or shortening, won’t incorporate as well into the dough and can lead to uneven distribution of texture and flavor.
Secondly, take care when measuring your flour. Use a scale if possible for precise measurements or use the spoon and level method to avoid getting too much flour in your dough. Too much flour can result in a denser texture in your coffee cake.
Thirdly, follow the instructions for kneading the dough carefully. Over-kneading can cause the gluten in the flour to develop too much, making your coffee cake too chewy. Under-kneading on the other hand can result in a dense texture.
Fourthly, when incorporating the raisins and walnuts into the dough, use a light hand so as not to cause excessive tearing of the dough. As a result, it will lead to an inconsistent rise during baking.
Fifthly, timing is critical when it comes to baking coffee cakes. So set your timer accordingly and carefully monitor the baking process after 35 minutes until it reaches that perfect golden color on top.
Finally, let your coffee cake cool completely before adding toppings like cinnamon sugar or glaze while warm. For ideal slicing results, chill the coffee cake before cutting it into slices so that it will retain its shape perfectly.
By following these tips carefully, you’ll create a delicious Hungarian Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake that will impress all who taste it!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this recipe for Hungarian Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake (Aranygaluska) is a truly special dessert that you shouldn’t miss out on. With its sugary balls and syrup-like glaze, it has a texture and flavor that’s unlike any other cake. This recipe is perfect for celebrating special occasions or just enjoying with friends and family.
The best thing about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can swap out ingredients to create a variety of different flavors and variations, or you can follow the traditional recipe and enjoy the classic taste of Hungary.
So whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice looking to try something new, give this Aranygaluska recipe a try. With its warm, cinnamon-scented aroma and delicious flavors, it’s sure to become a favorite in your household.
Hungarian Golden Dumpling Coffee Cake (Aranygaluska) Recipe
A traditional Hungarian dessert. Many sugary balls of coffee cake dough, studded with raisins and coated with cinnamon and nuts in a syrup-like glaze on the outside. Similar to monkey bread. This recipe is not a quick one. Yeast is used in the dough, so it does take 2 1/2-3 hours for the dough to rise. This does freeze well for later use.
- 4 3/4-5 cups flour, sifted
- 1/2 cup whole milk, scalded (to scald milk heat in the top of a double-boiler over simmering water, just until a thin film appear)
- 4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water (110-115 F)
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 eggs, well beaten
- 1 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped (about 3 ounces)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 cup sweet butter, melted
- 1/2 cup raisins (about 2.5 ounces)
- Soften yeast in warm water and let stand 5-10 minutes so that it proofs.
- In a large bowl, combine shortening, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt, then immediately pour scalded milk over mixture.
- While mixture is warm, mix in 1/2 cup flour and beat until dough is smooth.
- Stir the yeast, then add it to the dough, mixing well.
- Add half of the remaining flour and beat until dough is very smooth.
- Beat in the eggs and enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough.
- Turn dough out on lightly floured surface and let rest 5-10 minutes.
- Knead by folding opposite side over towards you, then using the heels of your hands to push the dough away, then give it a quarter turn and repeat process until smooth and elastic (5-10 minutes) (always turn the dough in the same direction and use as little additional flour as possible).
- Form dough into a large ball and place in a greased bowl.
- Turn the ball over so that the surface on the top is greased and cover bowl with waxed paper and a towel.
- Let rise in warm place (80°F) until doubled in bulk (1 1/2-2 hours).
- Punch dough down with fist, pull the edges into the center, and turn ball over inside the bowl.
- Cover bowl and let dough rise until nearly doubled again in bulk.
- Meanwhile, lightly grease the bottom of a 10-inch tubed pan.
- In a shallow dish combine 1 cup sugar, nuts, and cinnamon and set aside.
- Place melted butter in another shallow dish and set aside.
- Tear off bits of dough and form into balls 1-1 1/4-inch in diameter (about the size of walnuts).
- Roll balls first in melted butter, then lightly in the cinnamon mixture.
- Arrange a layer of balls in the bottom of the pan so that they don’t touch each other.
- Sprinkle about 1/3 of the raisins over the balls and gently press into the dough.
- Continue this process until all of the dough is formed into balls and arranged in the pan and all of the raisins have been used up.
- Sprinkle any remaining butter and cinnamon mixture over the top layer.
- Cover pan with waxed paper and towel and let dough rise until light (30-45 minutes).
- Bake at 375°F until golden brown (35-40 minutes).
- Run spatula around sides of pan and invert onto a plate.
- To serve, break cake apart with 2 forks.