I had mixed emotions when I learned that this week’s Tuesdays with Dorie recipe was Kugelhopf. One one hand, it is one of my favorite recipes in Baking: From My Home to Yours. I’ve already made it a few times and absolutely love it. As a matter of fact, Dorie’s Kugelhopf recipe was one of the main reasons that I bought the book in the first place. On the other hand, making this Kugelhopf is a very long, drawn out process, taking a good two days from start to finish. For me, it is an undertaking reserved for special occasions. I toyed with the thought of skipping this week, but my love of this tender, sweet, raisin-studded bread with its golden, buttery crust got the better of me. That, and the fact that I will already have to miss the next one or two weeks because I’ll be traveling, spurred me on and I decided to go for it. I’m so glad I did!
For those unfamiliar with it, Kugelhopf is a high, fluted, circular yeast-based sweet bread, similar to brioche. It is widely recognized as an Alsatian specialty, however, some believe that it originated in Vienna. Wherever it came from, it is wildly popular the world over. How could it not be?
Kugelhopf is traditionally baked in a special circular pan, originally made of enameled pottery, similar to a bundt pan. I actually have one of those and I wish I’d used it when making my recipe this time. Instead, I used a nonstick metal Kugelhopf pan that I picked up recently. I didn’t like it nearly as much.
I spent most of my weekend working on this recipe. There is a hell of a lot of waiting involved! Ordinarily, this would have driven me nuts, but since I was housebound because of my injured foot, I really didn’t mind it all that much. Having the heady aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the house helped take my mind off the fact that my foot looked like a big football and felt like a bus ran over it!
My thanks go out to Yolanda of The All Purpose Girl for choosing one of my favorite Dorie recipes. If you’d like to try this one for yourself, you can find the recipe on her site. Also, check out the TWD blogroll to see lots more Kugelhopfs.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go look for that last piece of Kugelhopf that I hid under the Brussels sprouts and have it with a nice hot cup of coffee!
Filed Under: Baking, Breads and Pizza, Breakfast and Brunch, Recipes, Tuesdays with Dorie
On November 11, 2008 at 9:14am, Judy@nofearentertaining said...
Looks incredible Susan! Sorry can’t say I would be trying this one…2 days is a little too much for me!!! Maybe Someone else will make me some!
On November 11, 2008 at 9:24am, Chez US said...
I am on my way over, I will bring the coffee! Looks incredible!!!!
On November 11, 2008 at 9:40am, chocolatechic said...
Oh, your texture looks fabulous.
The time factor really frustrate me.
On November 11, 2008 at 9:57am, The Short (dis)Order Cook said...
So the food injury was a blessing disguise. It gave you an excuse to be home to make this.
It looks wonderful. That first photo elicited an Pavlovian reaction.
On November 11, 2008 at 10:04am, happytummy said...
Ummm, wow. Your Kugelhopf looks fantastic, due in no small part to using the proper pan, I’m sure! I love how your crust ended up being on the lighter side…mine came out too dark and crusty, I think.
On November 11, 2008 at 10:20am, Shari@Whisk: a food blog said...
I would love to see a picture of your enameled Kugelhopf pan! There is nothing like the smell of dough rising, and in this case it looks and tastes delicious. I love how tall yours is. I hope your foot feels better soon. I’m off to get myself a piece of this coffee cake/bread now. 😉
On November 11, 2008 at 10:21am, Emily Rose said...
Your kugelhopf looks marvelous! I am also in awe of your light crust- mine also came out quite dark- probably because I used an ancient bundt pan instead of a real kugelhopf pan!
On November 11, 2008 at 10:22am, Jescel said...
if i can only eat this virtually…. looks so yummy.. must be fabulous with coffee, or dunk in hot chocolate!
On November 11, 2008 at 10:26am, Jescel said...
oh,and sorry to hear about your accident. hope you feel much better.
On November 11, 2008 at 10:36am, Jodie said...
Yours is GORGEOUS! I love how flakey the outside looks. Wonderful job!
On November 11, 2008 at 10:39am, The Food Librarian said...
Wow! Yours looks fantastic. The pan made a beautiful bread shape. perfect!
On November 11, 2008 at 10:55am, Isabelle said...
tout à fait superbe
il est parfaitement réussi! bravo !
On November 11, 2008 at 10:58am, Karen said...
This looks so tender and the color is beautiful! I’m going to take a look at the recipe…
On November 11, 2008 at 11:03am, Audrey said...
Wasn’t this good? Your photos have really captured it. And I missed your rugelach last week somehow, but the same goes for them.
On November 11, 2008 at 11:08am, Cristine said...
Your kugelhopf looks AMAZING!!!
On November 11, 2008 at 11:11am, squawmama said...
This looks soooooo yummy… I love any bread, flour product there is… Hope your footsie is doing better…
(((HUGS)))
Donna
On November 11, 2008 at 11:16am, Bellini Valli said...
This is well worth the effort Susan. What can I do to have some time off of work to have my home smell so heavenly:D
On November 11, 2008 at 11:45am, PheMom said...
I’m glad to know your review of the pan because that was one kind I was debating on. Anyway it sure looks tall and fabulous! I agree that it is a good recipe for those days when you are home anyway.
On November 11, 2008 at 11:59am, Maryann said...
This with a nice cup of coffee?! Perfect
On November 11, 2008 at 12:02pm, Laura said...
Wow - your kugelhopf is one of the nicest I’ve seen! Beautiful job! In hindsight, I wish I had gotten a kugelhopf pan. I think having the right pan for this makes the recipe so much better - there’s just something about the height and those gentle flutes.
On November 11, 2008 at 12:23pm, Jess said...
Wow…those close-up shots are beautiful - you really get a sense of the texture. Nice job!
On November 11, 2008 at 1:07pm, Patsyk said...
It looks as though it would melt in your mouth it’s so tender. Very nice!
On November 11, 2008 at 1:07pm, Nina Timm said...
…and you did this with a sore foot??? It looks like a snow capped mountain somewhere…yummee!!
On November 11, 2008 at 1:32pm, Marthe said...
OMG, this must be the most perfect Kugelhopf I ever did see!! It looks great!
On November 11, 2008 at 1:50pm, bakingwiththeboys said...
Your post is one of the reasons I love Tuesdays with Dorie. I had a completely different reaction to the Kugelhopf. I don’t think I will ever make it again and it was one of the reasons you bought the book. I love it. Yours looks perfect!
On November 11, 2008 at 2:47pm, Mevrouw Cupcake said...
You have not one, but TWO kugelhopf pans!?! I’m jealous! Yours definitely wins the most beautiful prize!
On November 11, 2008 at 3:50pm, Rhiani said...
May I just say Wow!? I wish I had had a more positive experience with this one - yours looks so impressive it (almost) makes me want to give it another try.
On November 11, 2008 at 4:00pm, Cakelaw said...
You are not wrong about how long this takes! I was hoping for a cake not a bread, so I guess I was a little disappointed in it. Yours looks gorgeous.
On November 11, 2008 at 4:03pm, Rachel@fairycakeheaven said...
I bought this book for 1 particular recipe aswell - the caramel peanut topped brownie cake. Must try and get a tin for this, it looks lovely!
On November 11, 2008 at 4:23pm, Katrina said...
Good things come to those who put in the work and wait! Looks amazing!
On November 11, 2008 at 6:27pm, Darius T. Williams said...
Looks good - you guys did a great job. One day I’m going to join the blogger clan…one day - lol.
-DTW
[www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com]
On November 11, 2008 at 7:23pm, rainbowbrown said...
Wow. That’s a beauty.
On November 11, 2008 at 7:49pm, Jesse said...
The longer the bread takes to make, the better it tastes, if you ask me. This is beautiful!
On November 11, 2008 at 8:40pm, Zoe Francois said...
What a gorgeous bread! The crumb looks absolutely perfect and I bet your house smells fantastic!
On November 11, 2008 at 10:02pm, StickyGooeyCreamyChewy said...
Thank you everyone, for your kind and wonderful comments! I’m so glad that you liked my kugelhopf! Even though it is a bit of a pain to make, the result is worth it. I’ve been out all day and evening, so I haven’t had a chance to make the TWD rounds yet, but I hope to make a dent in the next few days.
Thanks also for all of your good wishes about my foot. I felt better today and I think I overdid it. Got the frozen peas back on it tonight!
happytummy- I baked mine for few minutes less than called for, because it was getting a little too brown. Everyone’s oven is different.
Shari- I’ll snap a pic and email it to you.
PheMom- Nordicware makes a nice pan. Mine was from Martha Stewart. It is nice, but I like the shape of the ceramic one better.
Zoe- Thank you! I think your recipe is every bit as good with a whole lot less fuss!
On November 11, 2008 at 10:05pm, Rachel said...
Oh wow yours looks beautiful! I sat this one out but your enthusiasm has convinced me to put it on my “to make” list!
On November 11, 2008 at 10:50pm, pinkstripes said...
Your kugelhopf looks gorgeous. I love the color, perfectly golden.
On November 11, 2008 at 10:58pm, Proud Italian Cook said...
Although this looks gorgeous, I don’t think I’d have the patience to wait! Unless of course I was homebound with an injured foot. Hope you’re healing up!
On November 12, 2008 at 4:56am, CookiePie said...
That is beautiful!!!
Hope your foot is doing better!
On November 12, 2008 at 8:42am, spike. said...
Glad you liked this TwD too!
On November 12, 2008 at 1:32pm, Laurie said...
Oh my, that looks delicious - and worth the time. Your photos are gorgeous!
On November 12, 2008 at 2:08pm, Nicole said...
Looks just gorgeous. Sounds perfect with coffee.
On November 12, 2008 at 3:47pm, Snooky doodle said...
wow so nice and yummy. It looks like pannettone though
On November 12, 2008 at 4:11pm, Gabi said...
Did you do the “Kugel-hop” on your good foot? 😉
Looks lovely, buttery and yummy!
xx
On November 12, 2008 at 6:48pm, LyB said...
Your kugelhopf looks so beautiful! I wish I’d found a higher pan, like yours, it looks so spectacular.
On November 12, 2008 at 8:41pm, vibi said...
I’m late… caught up in stuff… and seeing all those comments you got, I’m not surprised a bit, as I too… was speechless when I saw THE kugelhopf.
I mean… not even “bravissimo” would do!
On November 13, 2008 at 4:52am, diva said...
oh that’s gorgeous!!! i love tht it’s got a similar texture to brioche…just beautiful. x
On November 13, 2008 at 10:21am, Heather said...
This kind of reminds me of those pannetone that I love so much at Christmastime. I love the tender, yeasty crumb and the sweet exterior. Gurglegurglegurgle.
On November 13, 2008 at 6:30pm, noble pig said...
It turned out beautiful and I wouldn’t mind the smells wafting throught the house either! Yum! Glad you had the patience to see it through.
On November 14, 2008 at 4:27pm, Jules Someone said...
Gorgeous! I’m impressed that you made it more than once.
On November 14, 2008 at 5:58pm, Susan from Food Blogga said...
My MIL hides goodies too!
This is beautiful, Susan!
On November 15, 2008 at 12:41am, Anna at Mediocre Chocolate said...
Wow, that looks astonishingly good. I have always wanted to try Kugelhopf, having some German in me, and now I may have the recipe selected! Yummy!
On November 15, 2008 at 8:10am, Choosy Beggar Tina said...
I had never even heard of Kugelhopf before! Even the name sounds like a challenge….
On November 15, 2008 at 1:48pm, Kevin said...
That looks good! I hope your foot gets better soon.
On November 16, 2008 at 11:57pm, AmyRuth said...
Your photos are the best! Wow, yes I agree its totally a bad weather project or stay at home thing. Either way the aroma is intoxicating. Hope you enjoyed even though. Speedy recovery.
AmyRuth
On November 19, 2008 at 6:43am, Joanna said...
These are GORGEOUS photos!!!!