125 g (4 oz.) hazelnuts or walnuts, chopped or ground
125 g (4 oz.) almonds, chopped or ground
500 g (18 oz.) sultanas
1 or 2 bananas (optional)
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground star anise
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
A pinch of grated nutmeg
A pinch of pepper
750 g (1 lb. 12 oz.) sugar
100 ml (6 tbsp.) kirsch
500 g (18 oz.) rye or wheat flour
60 g (2 oz.) fresh yeast
200 - 250 ml (3/4 - 1 cup) macerating liquid from the apples and pears
Decoration and syrup
125 g (4 oz.) unblanched almonds, halved lengthwise
250 g (9 oz.) sugar
100 ml (6 tbsp.) water (just enough to cover the sugar and make a heavy syrup)
The night before, soak the pears and apples in water. The next day, drain them, reserving 200 ml (3/4 c.) of the soaking liquid for the dough; place the flour on a work surface or in a large bowl and make a well in the centre; crumble the yeast into this hollow, add the macerating liquid from the apples and pears (warmed to approximately 35° C / 95° F). Mix gradually until the dough is smooth and fairly firm. Form it into a ball, cover with a cloth and leave to rise for an hour.
Meanwhile cut the pears and the other fruit into strips. Add the kirsch, sugar, spices, almonds and hazelnuts (or walnuts), chopped or ground, as well as the candied orange and lemon peel, cut into small dice. Let rest until the dough has risen.
Mix all of these ingredients into the dough until smooth and well-combined. Moisten your hands and form the dough into oval, slightly flat loaves weighing between 125 and 250 g (4 to 8 oz.) Place onto a buttered baking sheet. Decorate with the halved almonds, arranging a row of almonds (white part showing) along the length of each loaf. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes in a preheated 180° C (350° F) oven. Check the bottom of each Berauwecka for doneness: if it is nicely browned, the loaves are properly cooked. Remove from the oven and brush with the syrup (made with 100 ml / 6 tbsp. water and 250 g / 1 cup sugar, simply brought to a boil and cooled.) Let cool before eating.
Options / Notes
Total time: more than 2 hours
Preparation time: Under 1 hour
Waiting time: 24 hours maceration time + a few hours rising time for the dough
