Difficulty: Easy<\/p>\n
Calories per 100g: +\/- 300<\/p>\n
Servings: 10 people<\/p>\n
Preparation Time: 30 minutes<\/p>\n
Cooking Time: 25 minutes<\/p>\n
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes<\/p>\n
Just in time for Saint Nicholas Day, “manalas,” also known as “manneles” or Saint Nicholas milk buns, are a beloved Alsatian tradition during the Christmas season. These delightful brioche figures, often given to children on December 6th, are soft, aromatic, and perfect for enjoying at breakfast or as a snack. Crafting them requires some patience.<\/p>\n
For 10 Manalas or Manneles:<\/p>\n
– Flour: 500g
\n– Milk: 150ml
\n– Butter: 140g
\n– Eggs: 3
\n– Sugar: 90g
\n– Vanilla sugar: 1 packet
\n– Salt: 7g
\n– Orange blossom water (optional): 1 tablespoon
\n– Instant yeast (briochin): 2 packets<\/p>\n
1. Warm the milk slightly in the microwave. Mix in the sugars, butter cut into small pieces, and salt. Stir until the butter completely melts.<\/p>\n
2. In a mixer bowl, sift the flour and yeast and mix at medium speed. Gradually pour in the milk mixture. Once uniform, continue to mix, adding the eggs one at a time.<\/p>\n
3. Swap the mixer attachment from the whisk to the dough hook. Knead at medium speed for 15 minutes. The dough should be soft but should pull away from the sides of the bowl. Add a bit more flour if it’s too sticky. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let the dough rise in an oven set to 30\u00b0C (86\u00b0F) for 1 hour.<\/p>\n
4. Prepare two sheets of parchment paper sized to fit your baking tray. Punch the dough down briefly by hand to release any air bubbles. Divide into roughly 100g portions.<\/p>\n
5. Shape each portion into a cylinder, using the edge of your hand to form the head at one end. Place these on the parchment paper, spaced well apart. Flatten the body part with your palm. Use a knife to make cuts for the legs and arms, then separate these from the body slightly.<\/p>\n
6. Allow the dough to rise again for 30 minutes in an oven set to 30\u00b0C (86\u00b0F). Preheat the oven to 180\u00b0C (356\u00b0F). Gently brush the brioche figures with a mixture of milk and egg yolk. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.<\/p>\n
To finish:<\/strong><\/p>\n I decorated the brioches with fine brushes using royal icing and black, red, and green powder food coloring.<\/p>\n\n\n