Hey there, fellow food enthusiasts! Today, I am beyond excited to share with you one of my all-time favorite recipes – the heavenly “Chimney Cake”.

This delectable treat has always held a special place in my heart due to its unique and irresistible flavor profile, making it a perfect choice for any occasion.

From its rich dough to the aromatic toppings, every bite of this delicious dessert is a taste of pure bliss.

Table of Contents

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

Lukewarm milk: Lukewarm milk serves as the liquid base for the dough, hydrating the flour and activating the yeast. It also adds richness and a subtle sweetness to the dough, contributing to its tender texture and flavor.
Plain all-purpose flour: All-purpose flour provides the structure and bulk of the dough. Its gluten content helps to give the chimney cake its characteristic chewy texture while also allowing it to rise properly during baking.
Instant dry yeast: Yeast is responsible for leavening the dough, causing it to rise and become airy and light. Instant dry yeast activates quickly and requires no proofing, making it convenient for use in this recipe.
Large eggs: Eggs add richness, flavor, and color to the dough. They also act as a binding agent, helping to hold the ingredients together and creating a smooth, cohesive dough.
Granulated sugar: Sugar sweetens the dough, providing a hint of sweetness that balances the flavors of the other ingredients. It also helps to activate the yeast and promote browning during baking.
Unsalted butter: Butter adds richness and a buttery flavor to the dough, contributing to its tender texture and enhancing its overall taste. It also helps to keep the dough moist and supple.
Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the dough, adding a subtle hint of vanilla that complements the sweetness of the sugar. It adds depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile of the chimney cake.
Salt: Salt enhances the flavor of the dough, balancing the sweetness of the sugar and enhancing the other flavors. It also helps to strengthen the gluten structure of the dough, improving its texture and elasticity.

For the Topping:

Egg and milk for brushing: The egg and milk mixture is brushed onto the dough before baking to give the chimney cake its golden brown color and glossy finish. It also helps the toppings adhere to the surface of the cake.
Ground cinnamon and granulated sugar: This mixture is sprinkled over the brushed dough, adding a sweet and spicy flavor that complements the richness of the cake. It forms a crispy, caramelized crust during baking, adding texture and depth of flavor.
Ground walnuts: Ground walnuts provide a nutty flavor and crunchy texture to the chimney cake. They add richness and depth to the overall taste profile, as well as visual interest.

Step by step directions:

Step 1:

Let’s start by activating the yeast. Take a small bowl and pour in the lukewarm milk, along with 2 tablespoons of sugar and the instant dry yeast. Give it a good mix and then set it aside for about 5-10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it becomes frothy or bubbly.

Step 2:

In a separate large bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, eggs, remaining sugar, salt, and vanilla extract if you’re using it. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to mix everything together until it’s well combined.

Step 3:

Slowly add the plain all-purpose flour into the wet mixture, stirring as you go, until a dough starts to form. If you have a stand mixer, you can use the dough attachment to knead the dough for about 4-5 minutes. If you’re kneading by hand, lightly flour your work surface and knead the dough for around 7-10 minutes, until it’s smooth and no longer sticky.

Step 4:

Take a large bowl and grease it with some vegetable oil. Place the kneaded dough into the bowl, then cover it with either plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel. Let the dough proof in a warm place for at least 30-45 minutes, or until it doubles in size.

Step 5:

Once the dough has proofed, roll it out onto a clean surface into a rectangle shape, making sure it’s about 1.5 inches thick. Use a pizza cutter to divide the dough into 4 equal strips.

Step 6:

Working with one strip at a time, roll it into a long coil about 1 inch thick and 20-25 inches in length. Repeat this process for the remaining strips of dough.

Step 7:

Cover each wooden rolling pin with aluminum foil to prevent the dough from sticking. Carefully wrap each dough coil around a rolling pin, making sure there’s no overlapping of the dough.

Step 8:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of milk to create an egg wash. Use a pastry brush to coat each chimney cake with the egg wash.

Step 9:

For the topping, mix together the ground walnuts, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon on a tray or large plate. Roll each chimney cake in the topping mixture, gently pressing to ensure it’s coated evenly on all sides.

Step 10:

Place the rolling pins with the chimney cakes onto a deeper tray, ensuring the handles rest on the edges of the tray to prevent the cakes from touching the bottom. Bake for 10 minutes, then rotate the rolling pins and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until they’re golden brown.

Step 11:

Once they’re baked to perfection, carefully slide the chimney cakes off the rolling pins and onto a serving plate. Serve them up while they’re still warm and enjoy the sweet, crunchy goodness of your homemade treats!

Recipe Notes:

– Lukewarm milk is essential for activating the yeast and aiding in the dough’s rising process.

– Room temperature eggs are easier to incorporate into the dough, ensuring a smoother texture.

– Softened butter blends seamlessly into the dough, adding richness and moisture.

– Vanilla extract is optional but enhances the overall flavor profile of the Chimney Cake.

– Ground walnuts can be substituted with other nuts or omitted for nut-free variations.

Recipe Variations:

1. Chocolate Lovers Twist: Incorporate cocoa powder into the dough and add chocolate chips to the topping for a decadent chocolate Chimney Cake.

2. Fruity Delight: Mix dried fruits like raisins or cranberries into the dough and top with a drizzle of honey before serving for a sweet and tangy variation.

3. Savory Surprise: Add herbs and spices like rosemary or garlic powder to the dough and top with grated cheese for a unique savory twist on the classic Chimney Cake.

Chimney cake recipe

Mary Lee RD

Hey there, fellow food enthusiasts! Today, I am beyond excited to share with you one of my all-time favorite recipes – the heavenly “Chimney Cake”.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 25

Total Time 50

Course Dessert

Cuisine Hungarian

Servings Servings

Calories 660 kcal

Equipment

oven
plastic wrap

Ingredients

For the dough

– 1/3 cup of lukewarm milk
– 3 1/4 cups of plain all-purpose flour
– 1 1/2 teaspoons of instant dry yeast
– 2 large eggs at room temperature
– 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup of unsalted butter softened
– 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract optional
– 1/4 teaspoon of salt

For topping:

– 1 egg for brushing
– 1 tablespoon of milk for brushing
– 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
– 1 cup of granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup of ground walnuts