Portuguese Rolls

These rolls are soft, slightly sweet, and incredibly airy, with a rich flavor from eggs, butter, and sweetened condensed milk. The lovely aroma of lemon adds a fresh touch to the baked goods, making them extra exciting. These decorative knot rolls are perfect for a weekend breakfast, coffee breaks, or as a luxurious addition to the table when you want to impress.

• 1 dl milk
• 2.5 tsp dry yeast
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 500 g all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp grated lemon zest
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 50 g butter
• 3 eggs
• 2 dl sweetened condensed milk

1. Heat the milk to 37 degrees. Combine the warm milk with the yeast and brown sugar in a small bowl. Let the mixture sit undisturbed for 10 minutes until the yeast foams up.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, lemon zest, and salt.
3. In another bowl, mix the melted butter, eggs, condensed milk, and the yeast mixture.
4. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and knead for about 5 minutes. The dough will be quite sticky and elastic.
5. Cover and let the dough rise until doubled in size.
6. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Divide into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a long strip about 25-30 cm long. Then make a knot with the dough strip.
7. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
8. Brush them with egg and water, and sprinkle seeds on top.
9. Bake at 180°C, in the middle of the oven for about 25 minutes.

Let the rolls cool slightly before serving, and enjoy them as they are or with a bit of butter and jam. They are best freshly baked but can also be frozen and easily reheated when serving. A delightful bake that combines sweetness and airiness, perfect when you want to treat yourself to something extra special!