Country: Italy Servings: Serves 8

Ingredients

• all-purpose flour – 4 cups / 480 g
• granulated sugar – 1 cup / 200 g
• milk – 1 cup / 240 ml, warmed
• unsalted butter – 1/2 cup / 115 g, softened
• eggs – 3 large
• active dry yeast – 2 1/4 tsp
• salt – 1/2 tsp
• lemon zest – 1 tsp, freshly grated
• orange zest – 1 tsp, freshly grated
• vanilla extract – 1 tsp

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk and let it stand for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt.
3. Add softened butter and rub into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
4. In a separate bowl, beat eggs and mix in the lemon zest, orange zest, and vanilla extract.
5. Combine the egg mixture and the yeast mixture with the flour, kneading to form a soft dough.
6. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about 1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
7. Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place it in a greased loaf pan.
8. Cover and let it rise again until it’s almost doubled, about 45 minutes.
9. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
10. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
11. Allow to cool before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Substitutions

• all-purpose flour -> bread flour
• unsalted butter -> margarine
• milk -> almond milk

Enhancements in the Next Evolution

• Incorporate a pinch of nutmeg to enhance the bread’s spice profile.
• Add raisins or candied fruit for texture and additional sweetness.
• Experiment with a drizzle of a simple icing made from powdered sugar and lemon juice.