St. George’s Day dragons
These little bread creatures are a traditional bake for Georgi, made in honor of St. George, the dragon slayer.
They’re shaped by hand, left to rise, baked until golden, and then eaten with butter and jam.
In my family we love keeping these types of traditions alive! And: aren't those little monsters just the cutest??
This is the recipe:
Georgi Bread (St. George’s Day Dragons)
Makes ~30 small dragons
Ingredients
1kg wheat flour
80 g fresh yeast
100 g sugar
100 g butter (softened)
14 g salt
400 ml lukewarm milk
120 g egg yolks (approx. 6 yolks)
100 g whole egg (approx. 2 eggs)
Zest of 2 lemons
Seeds from 2 vanilla pods
250 g chocolate chips
100 g chopped, roasted hazelnuts
Instructions
1. Make the dough
Combine all ingredients except the chocolate chips and hazelnuts.
Knead for about 15 minutes until you have a smooth, medium-firm dough.
2. Add fillings
Once the dough starts to rise slightly, knead in the chocolate chips and hazelnuts briefly.
3. First rise
Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place for at least 30 minutes, until visibly expanded.
4. Shape the dragons
Divide into ~70 g portions.
Shape each into a small dragon:
Cut a mouth at the front
Add spikes along the back (use scissors)
Form small feet from leftover dough
Add chocolate chips as eyes
5. Second rise
Place on a lined baking tray, brush with beaten egg, cover, and let rise again for 30 minutes, until noticeably puffed.
6.Bake
Bake at 180–190°C (fan/convection) for about 15 minutes, until golden brown.
