Ingredients:

SPONGE:

• 10 g of dry yeast (or 20 g of fresh yeast)
• 60 g of milk
• 65 g of all-purpose flour (0000)
• 1 teaspoon of honey

DOUGH:

• 190 g of all-purpose flour (0000)
• 50 g of sugar
• 1 egg
• A pinch of fine salt
• Sponge (prepared earlier)
• 50 g of softened butter

FILLING:

• Pastry cream:
  • 250 ml of milk
  • 1 egg and 1 yolk
  • 150 g of sugar
  • 25 g of cornstarch
  • 20 g of flour
  • Vanilla extract
• Dark chocolate, chopped (as needed)
• Walnuts, chopped (as needed)

Preparation:

1. Sponge:
Mix the dry yeast (or fresh yeast) with the milk, flour, and honey in a bowl. Stir well. Cover the bowl and let it rise.

2. Dough:
Combine the flour, sugar, egg, a pinch of fine salt, and the previously prepared sponge.
Mix until combined.
Add the softened butter and knead until the dough is smooth and no longer sticks to the surface.
Note: Avoid adding extra flour!
Shape the dough into a ball and let it rest, covered.

3. Filling:
For the pastry cream: heat the milk with the vanilla and half of the sugar. Pour this mixture over the other ingredients (already combined) and return everything to the heat, stirring until it thickens.

4. Assembly:
Roll out the dough on a floured surface until it's about 1 cm thick.
Spread the filling: first a layer of pastry cream, then the chopped chocolate, followed by the chopped walnuts.
Fold the dough over the filling, cut it in half, and braid the two halves.

5. Baking:
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 30 minutes.

This is the first recipe in the new recipe section of Morena Linda, brought to you by Argentine cook Ceci Quiqueran (Instagram: @doniacesonia).

Watch the full recipe tutorial here: YouTube Video.

I am so excited that this new section is finally here! I'll be transcribing recipes from my dear friend Ceci Quiqueran, an incredibly talented cook with an unmatched sensitivity and delicacy when it comes to beauty. Just take a look at her Instagram to see what I mean!

These are recipes that touch the soul, recipes that might transport you to a cherished moment in the past—a family table filled with love and warmth. They are soulful recipes, and what I love most is that they’re approachable and not overly complicated.

I hope you enjoy the unique sensitivity and creativity of this amazing friend as much as I do! Stay tuned for more recipes filled with love, flavor, and a bit of nostalgia. ❤️