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Moravian Sugar Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 70 reviews

Moravian Sugar Cake is a traditional sweet yeast bread with a soft, sticky potato-infused dough topped generously with a buttery cinnamon-sugar mixture. Baked until golden and bubbling, this cake is perfect served warm as a delightful treat for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 1/2 cup warm water (you can use the water from cooking the potatoes, if you want)
  • 1 Tablespoon dried yeast
  • 1 cup unseasoned mashed potatoes (just potatoes — no milk or butter or anything)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 5 1/2 ounces melted butter
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 32–35 ounces all-purpose flour (enough to make a soft, sticky dough)

Topping

  • 6–8 ounces melted butter (your call)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Several gratings of fresh nutmeg (optional)
  • Heavy pinch of fine salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Yeast Mixture: In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, pour in the warm water and yeast. Stir for a minute or so to dissolve the yeast fully and activate it.
  2. Mix the Dough Ingredients: Add the unseasoned mashed potatoes, salt, sugar, melted butter, whole milk, eggs, and about half of the flour to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until you achieve a smooth batter consistency.
  3. Knead the Dough: Switch to the dough hook attachment, add most of the remaining flour, and mix on low speed until combined. Then knead on medium speed for 5 minutes. Test the dough by pulling some with your fingers; it should be very sticky, stretchy, and almost-flowy. If it’s too loose, knead in the rest of the flour, remembering that wetter dough is better for yeast bread.
  4. First Rise: Remove the bowl from the mixer and smooth the dough surface with a pan-sprayed hand or spatula. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until doubled in size.
  5. Prepare Pans and Shape Dough: Spray two jelly roll pans with pan spray. Divide the dough evenly between the pans. Spray your hands and dough surface with pan spray to prevent sticking and gently stretch and pat the dough to fit each pan, alternating between pans to allow relaxation in the dough.
  6. Second Rise: Spray the shaped dough with pan spray, cover it with a lint-free towel or plastic wrap, and let rise again until puffy, about 1 hour.
  7. Preheat Oven: Set the oven racks to the bottom third and top third positions and preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C).
  8. Make the Topping Mixture: Whisk together the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and salt in a bowl until well combined.
  9. Prepare the Dough for Baking: Once the dough has risen and is puffy, dimple it all over vigorously with your fingers. It’s fine to break through the dough; the dimples will help hold the topping.
  10. Butter and Sugar the Dough: Brush 3-4 ounces of melted butter liberally over each cake, letting it pool in the dimples. Then sprinkle half of the sugar mixture evenly over each cake, covering the surface generously without showing any dough.
  11. Bake the Cakes: Place the cakes on the oven racks and bake for 7 minutes. Then switch the cakes between racks and bake for another 7 minutes to ensure even baking.
  12. Cool Slightly: Remove the cakes from the oven and place them on racks to cool for a few minutes.
  13. Remove from Pans: Using a large spatula and assistance if needed, slide the cakes out of the jelly roll pans onto cooling racks to prevent soggy bottoms.
  14. Serve and Store: Slice as desired and serve warm. Store the cakes wrapped at room temperature or freeze well for longer storage.

Notes

  • Using mashed potatoes in the dough adds moisture and tenderness, contributing to the cake’s distinctive texture.
  • Keep the dough sticky and on the wetter side to get the best results in yeast bread texture.
  • You can use the warm potato cooking water to activate the yeast if desired, which adds flavor and warmth.
  • The sugar topping should be generous to create the signature sweet, crunchy crust.
  • Dimples in the dough hold the butter and sugar topping, so don’t be shy with them.
  • You can freeze leftover cake wrapped well to preserve freshness for later enjoyment.
  • Using pan spray on hands and dough helps with shaping and prevents sticking.
  • If you skip parchment on pans, be sure to spray thoroughly to prevent sticking.
  • This cake is best enjoyed warm but can also be eaten at room temperature.

Keywords: Moravian sugar cake, yeast bread, sweet bread, cinnamon sugar cake, potato bread, traditional Moravian dessert

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/moravian-sugar-cake-recipe/