Moldovan Bread

Discover the soulful taste of tradition with Moldovan Bread, a beautifully simple yet flavorful homemade loaf that celebrates Eastern European baking at its best. Crafted with a handful of pantry staples like all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, and sunflower oil, this bread achieves a tender crumb and a golden, glossy crust with a milk wash finish. Its unique charm lies in the delicate hand-kneading process, which creates an irresistibly soft texture, and the option to shape the dough into an elegant round or a decorative plait. Perfectly suited for any meal, from hearty soups to spreads and cheeses, this rustic bread offers an authentic taste of Moldova’s culinary heritage. Ready to bake in just over two hours, it’s a comforting recipe that fills your kitchen with the enticing aroma of freshly baked bread.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:120 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:155 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 500 g All-purpose flour
• 7 g Active dry yeast
• 10 g Sugar
• 10 g Salt
• 300 ml Warm water (37°C/98°F)
• 30 ml Sunflower oil
• 1 Egg
• 30 ml Milk (for brushing)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy. This activates the yeast.

Step 2

Add the sunflower oil, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined.

Step 3

Gradually add the flour in small batches, stirring at first with a spoon and then kneading by hand once the dough comes together.

Step 4

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little extra flour, one tablespoon at a time.

Step 5

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

Step 6

Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Shape the dough into a round loaf or plait it for a decorative twist.

Step 7

Place the shaped dough onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Cover it again and let it rise for another 30 minutes.

Step 8

Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).

Step 9

Just before baking, brush the top of the dough with milk to create a glossy crust.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 11

Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	939.7 grams (939.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2238

Total Fat 41.60g	53%
Saturated Fat 6.10g	31%
Polyunsaturated Fat 20.40g
Cholesterol 200mg	67%
Sodium 4067mg	177%
Total Carbohydrate 396.90g	144%
Dietary Fiber 15.00g	54%
Total Sugars 13.20g
Protein 61.20g	122%

Vitamin D 68IU	340%
Calcium 193mg	15%
Iron 24mg	135%
Potassium 840mg	18%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 17.0%

Protein: 11.1%

Carbs: 71.9%