Romanian Cozonac (Sweet Walnut Bread)

Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I genuinely trust and believe will bring value to my readers. Also, some of the content was created with strategic use of AI tools. For more information, please visit the Privacy Policy page. Thank you for supporting my blog and helping me continue to provide valuable content.

A golden, swirled loaf rich with memory, faith, and the sweet taste of tradition.

🌿 Introduction

Every December, the smell of Cozonac brings me back to childhood — to warm kitchens, snowy windows, and my mother humming hymns while kneading the dough. This rich, tender bread filled with walnuts and cocoa is more than a holiday tradition; it’s a piece of Romanian soul work, a reminder that joy and patience often rise together.

The process takes time — mixing, resting, rolling — but there’s grace in every step. Cozonac teaches me to slow down, to wait for the dough to double, to let sweetness unfold in its own time. And when it emerges golden from the oven, it feels like a miracle you can slice and share.

This is the bread of celebration, of endurance, and of faith made fragrant.

💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A stunning centerpiece for Christmas or New Year’s gatherings.
• Soft, rich dough with ribbons of chocolate, sugar, and nuts.
• Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or gifts.
• Freezes beautifully for sharing later.
• A heartwarming connection to old-world tradition and homegrown faith.

🕰️ Quick Reference Snapshot

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Rise Time: 2 hours total
Cook Time: 45–50 minutes
Total Time: 3½ hours
Yield: 2 loaves
Skill Level: Intermediate
Equipment: Large mixing bowl, rolling pin, loaf pans, pastry brush
Dietary Info: Vegetarian

🍞 Ingredients

(US + Metric)

For the Dough

• 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (120 mL) warm milk
• ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
• 2 ¼ tsp (7 g) active dry yeast
• 3 large eggs (room temperature)
• ½ cup (115 g) butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• Zest of 1 lemon or orange

For the Filling

• 1 cup (100 g) ground walnuts
• 3 tbsp (20 g) cocoa powder
• ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) milk
• 1 tsp rum or vanilla extract (optional)

For Finishing

• 1 egg yolk, beaten with 1 tbsp milk (for brushing)
• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

🌱 Seasonal Swaps

• Replace walnuts with pecans or almonds.
• Add raisins or chopped dried fruit to the filling for sweetness.
• Use orange zest and cardamom for a spiced holiday twist.

🌿 From My Garden

This isn’t a garden recipe in the usual sense, but every herb I’ve ever grown — every act of cultivation — feels connected to this bread. Cozonac carries the same rhythm as planting: mix, knead, wait, trust. It’s the fruit of patient hands and faithful hearts, the same lessons the soil teaches in every season.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Prepare the Dough

1. In a small bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, melted butter, vanilla, salt, and zest.
3. Add the yeast mixture, then gradually stir in flour until a soft dough forms.
4. Knead on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
5. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1½ hours, until doubled.

Make the Filling

1. In a bowl, mix walnuts, cocoa, sugar, and milk to form a spreadable paste.
2. Add rum or vanilla for flavor if desired.

Assemble

1. Divide dough into two equal portions.
2. Roll each into a rectangle about ¼ inch (6 mm) thick.
3. Spread filling evenly over each piece, then roll tightly into a log.
4. Twist the two rolls together or place side-by-side in greased loaf pans.

Bake

1. Cover and let rise another 30–45 minutes.
2. Brush with egg wash and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45–50 minutes, until golden.
3. Cool before slicing; dust with powdered sugar if desired.

🍽 Serving & Pairing Suggestions

• Serve with tea or coffee for a quiet Advent morning.
• Slice and share with Coconut Cardamom Rice Pudding for a dessert spread.
• Pair with Herbal Energy Bites for a wholesome snack board.
• Makes a meaningful gift wrapped in parchment and twine.
• Enjoy with Mulled Pomegranate & Apple Cider on Christmas Eve.

🥡 Storage & Make-Ahead

• Keeps at room temperature up to 4 days, wrapped well.
• Freeze for up to 2 months; thaw and warm before serving.
• Stale slices make heavenly French toast or bread pudding.

✨ Final Thoughts

Cozonac reminds me that faith, like dough, needs time to rise. There’s no rushing the process — only the steady work of kneading, trusting, and waiting. And when the waiting ends, what you hold in your hands is more than bread — it’s grace, fragrant and warm, ready to be shared.

May your December kitchen be filled with that kind of peace — the kind that grows slowly, rises faithfully, and feeds many. 🍞💛

🤝 Community & Connection

• Instagram — Daily garden moments & behind-the-scenes; tag your dish so I can cheer you on! 🌿📸
• Subscribe — Fresh recipes, seasonal tips, and printable freebies delivered weekly. ✉🍂
• Join FB Group — Ask questions, swap ideas, and share what’s growing with a kind, garden-loving community. 🌱🫶

🛒 Favorites from My Kitchen to Yours

(Some of these links are affiliate links. That simply means if you decide to order, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Southern Soil Sunshine—it helps me keep sharing recipes from my kitchen and garden with you. 💛)

• Loaf pans — for beautiful, even bakes.
• Rolling pin — sturdy and smooth for classic dough work.
• Pastry brush — for glossy golden tops.

🌻 Related on Southern Soil Sunshine

• [Herbed Turkey Pot Pie with Garden Veggies] — A cozy, savory December classic.
• [Coconut Cardamom Rice Pudding] — Sweet and soothing for dessert.
• [Pear & Thyme Upside-Down Cake] — A fragrant alternative for your holiday table.
• [Rustic Apple-Sage Pork Chops] — Savory pairing with traditional roots.
• [Midnight Grace Bread (Citrus & Cranberry Loaf)] — Another beautiful way to bake the season.