Pa’s Kuchen
This recipe has been in my husband's family for generations. We make Pa's Kuchen ("koo-ken") every Christmas. It's delicious and a big hit with the family. A few years ago, my Doberman decided to investigate the amazing scent emanating from the kitchen counter. He pulled the entire log off and ate the WHOLE thing. The sweet boy kindly left us a pile tiny aluminum foil crumbs on our bed.
(In case you're wondering, my Dobe experienced no ill-effects after his munch fest.)
NOTE: Recipe contains walnuts
DOUGH PREP
4 cups all-purpose flour
½ lb butter
2 tablespoon sugar
2 egg yolks (keep egg whites for later)
2 ounces of yeast
1 scant cup of warm water (slightly less than one cup!)
- Add yeast to warm water and let it stand while cutting butter into the flour until the mixture is coarse.
- Add unbeaten yolks and yeast mixture. Mix together until dough leaves sides of bowl (~5 min).
- Divide into 4 balls.
- Let dough rest (resting softens the dough) while preparing nut filling.
- Preheat oven to 400℉.
NUT FILLING
1 lb walnuts
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sugar (to taste)
- Heat milk, then add walnuts. Stir until milk is absorbed.
- Remove from heat.
- Add sugar and vanilla.
PUT IT ALL TOGETHER
- Roll one dough ball into a rectangle.
- Spread filling over the dough, evenly.
- Roll it up, jelly-roll style.
- Brush slightly beaten egg whites on top of the roll.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and then place the roll on the cookie sheet.
- Bake 10-15 minutes.
- Let stand for 20 minutes.
- Cut the roll into one-inch pieces and enjoy!
