Description
Moravian Sugar Cake is a classic, sweet yeast bread topped with a buttery, cinnamon-spiced crumb topping. This traditional recipe yields a soft, fluffy dough with a rich flavor from milk, butter, and eggs, complemented perfectly by the crunchy, sugary topping. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon treat, it’s a beloved delicacy that fills your home with a wonderful aroma.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
Topping Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast on top and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the melted butter, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir well to combine all the wet ingredients evenly.
- Add Flour: Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour into the wet mixture, stirring continuously until a soft dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it for about 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl. Cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat Oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking.
- Prepare the Pan: After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down gently to release air. Spread it evenly into a greased baking pan.
- Make Topping: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, softened butter, and cinnamon. Mix until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Apply Topping: Sprinkle the crumbly topping mixture evenly over the surface of the dough in the baking pan.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and allow the sugar cake to cool slightly before slicing and serving to enjoy its full flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is warm but not hot to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
- Knead the dough adequately to develop gluten for a soft and elastic texture.
- Cover the dough during rising to prevent it from drying out.
- You can substitute brown sugar topping with chopped nuts for extra crunch.
- Store leftover sugar cake in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
