Chimney cake style rolls (Gyertyánkenyér)

Although its name ('Hornbeam Bread') might come from its shape or an old regional name, this recipe is a home-made, oven-baked version of the classic charcoal-grilled Chimney Cake (Kürtőskalács). Beneath the crisp crust of caramelised sugar hides a fluffy, soft yeast dough.
🕒 Prep Time 1 hr 30 mins
🍳 Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 1 hr 55 mins
🍽️ Servings 8 servings
🔥 Calories 310 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Hungarian

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Beer cans or kitchen roll tubes covered in foil (instead of a baking spit)
  • Brush for glazing

Allergen Information

⚠️ Cereals containing gluten
⚠️ Milk
⚠️ Eggs

Instructions

1

Bloom the yeast in the lukewarm, sugary milk.

Tip: If the yeast doesn't foam up in 10 minutes, start again, because the yeast is dead.
2

Knead a soft dough from the flour, egg yolks, butter, pinch of salt and the bloomed yeast.

Tip: Add the fat (butter) at the end of kneading so it doesn't inhibit the yeast's work at the beginning.
3

Prove in a warm place until doubled in size (approx. 1 hour).

Tip: Draughts are the enemy of yeast dough.
4

Roll out the dough, cut into 2 cm wide strips, and wind onto the oiled forms so the edges overlap slightly. Roll on the table to stick them together.

Tip: Press the cylinder slightly against the table while rolling for an even surface.
5

Brush with melted butter, roll in granulated sugar, and bake at 200°C (preferably standing up) until the sugar caramelises.

Tip: Turn halfway through if not baking evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon ONLY AFTER BAKING, because cinnamon burns in the oven and becomes bitter!

Recipe FAQ

What if I don't have a baking spit?
Use kitchen roll tubes covered in foil or empty beer cans! Bake them standing up on the baking tray.

Ingredients

  • 500 g Plain flour
  • 250 ml Lukewarm milk
  • 25 g Fresh yeast
  • 100 g Melted butter
  • 2 units Egg yolks
  • 50 g Icing sugar (for dough)
  • 1 packet Vanilla sugar
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 200 g Granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 2 tbsp Ground cinnamon