HÖNÖ BREAD
Hönökaka is a loved Swedish flatbread hailing from the island of Hönö in the Gothenburg archipelago.
A beautiful crustless bread known for its light, fluffy texture, this traditional bread is typically shaped like a half-moon. Originally baked by the island's fishing and farming families, Its flat form made it easy to store and ideal for long fishing trips. Even when the bread became stale and hard, it was still enjoyed, reflecting its importance in the island's culinary heritage. It is baked with love and a kids favourite.
1. MIX THE DOUGH
Warm 600ml milk to lukewarm ( 37°C) Pour bag a into a large bowl. Pour over the milk and the syrup from bag j, stir until the yeast is fully dissolved. Add bag i and then 100g of room temp butter.
2. KNEAD THE DOUGH
Mix and knead: Mix it all together and knead the dough for about 5 minutes using a mixer, or 10 minutes by hand. If kneading by hand, push down on the dough with the palm of your hand then grab the top corner of the dough and pull it down in a circular movement and repeat. Do this until the dough is smooth, elastic and shiny.
3. LET THE DOUGH RISE
Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rise until it doubles in size, about 45-60 minutes, the time depends on the temperature of your kitchen.
4. ROLL OUT THE DOUGH
Divide the dough into three equal parts. Roll each piece out thin (about 0,5cm) on its own sheet of baking paper. For a textured finish, use a fork to prick the dough all over.
5. LET THE LOAVES REST & RISE
Second rise: Place the rolled-out dough on separate baking trays. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise for another 30 minutes.
6. IF IT IS A COLD DAY
Put the bread cakes in a cold oven, then place a cup of boiling water in the bottom of the oven and close the oven. This creates a little steam room for your loaves and will make them rise faster.
7. BAKE YOUR BREAD
Preheat the oven to 250°C (or 225°C for fan-forced). Bake the bread cakes in the middle of the oven for 8-10 minutes, until golden. Once baked, let them cool on a wire rack under a kitchen towel.
8. THE BREAD IS DONE
Enjoy! Now, Cut each half moon in to triangles and enjoy the delight of your homemade hönökaka bread!