Description
Soft, honey-sweetened dough filled with a rich walnut-cinnamon mixture and finished with a warm maple glaze, these Twisted Honey Nut Loaves are a beautiful and delicious sweet bread perfect for sharing. The tender layers and glossy finish make them as stunning as they are satisfying.
Ingredients
3 1/2–4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 (1/4 oz) packages active dry yeast
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs
Walnut Filling:
2 cups English walnut pieces
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 large egg yolks
Maple Glaze:
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp honey
1/4 tsp maple extract
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- In a stand mixer bowl, combine 3 cups flour and yeast.
- In a saucepan, heat water, butter, honey, sour cream, and salt to 120°F–130°F. Pour over flour mixture and mix on low until blended.
- Add eggs and beat on medium for 2 minutes. Add remaining flour until a soft, slightly tacky dough forms.
- Switch to a dough hook and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Transfer dough to a greased bowl, turn once to coat, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Grease and line two 8½×4½-inch loaf pans. Punch down dough and let rest for 5 minutes.
- For the Filling: In a food processor, pulse walnuts until finely ground. Add honey, softened butter, flour, cinnamon, and egg yolks; pulse until a thick paste forms.
- Divide dough in half. Roll each into a 14-inch square and spread with half the filling, leaving a 1-inch border. Roll up tightly and seal the seam.
- With seam side down, cut each roll lengthwise. Twist the two halves together, keeping cut sides up. Pinch ends and place in prepared pans.
- Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 195°F, tenting with foil after 25 minutes if needed.
- Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
- For the Glaze: Melt butter and honey together, then whisk in maple extract and confectioners’ sugar. Drizzle over warm loaves.
Notes
Substitute pecans or hazelnuts for a different nutty flavor.
Add orange zest to the dough or glaze for a citrus twist.
Drizzle with both maple glaze and melted white chocolate for an elegant finish.
Reheat slices in a 325°F oven for 5–7 minutes or microwave briefly before serving.
Freeze for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before enjoying.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
