Mannalas Day!
It’s a special day in the world of Alsace cuisine, and we’re delighted to share this recipe for Mannalas with you all. For those of you who have never had the pleasure of experiencing Mannalas, they’re a delicious type of sweet bread made in the shape of a little man, hence the name which translates to “little men”.
To make your own Mannalas at home, you’ll need:
- 500g flour
- 10g salt
- 50g sugar
- 50g butter
- 2 eggs
- 20g yeast
- 200ml milk
For the glaze, you’ll need:
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions:
- Dissolve the yeast in warm milk and set aside to activate.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
- Once the yeast-warm-milk mixture has bubbled and activated, add it to the mixing bowl with the dry ingredients.
- Add the eggs and butter to the bowl, and knead the mixture together with your hands, or use a mixer with a dough hook attachment.
- Cover the mixing bowl with a damp towel, and let it rest for an hour in a warm spot to allow the dough to double in size.
- Heat your oven to 180C.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and divide it into little balls of roughly 60 grams each. Shape them into Mannalas.
- Place the Mannalas onto a lined baking tray and leave to rest for another 20 minutes.
- Whisk the egg yolk and milk together, and then use a pastry brush to apply it to the tops of the Mannalas.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes depending on size, just until they’re nicely golden on the outside.
- Let them cool to room temperature before serving.
These Mannalas are perfect to enjoy as a sweet breakfast treat, or as a dessert after dinner. They’re delicious served with some fresh butter or a spoonful of raspberry jam.
We hope you enjoy making and eating these Mannalas as much as we have. Bon appétit!
