Fugassa (Monégasque Sweet Orange Blossom and Almond Bread)
In short: A soft, sweet flatbread scented with orange blossom, aniseed and almonds, a Monégasque Christmas bread, quite unlike savory Provençal fougasse. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 285 kcal
Fugassa is the sweet bread of Monaco's Christmas table, flavored with orange blossom water, aniseed, almonds and a splash of brandy. It is flat and soft, with slashes cut across the top, and it has little in common with the savory olive oil fougasse of Provence apart from its name and shape. Eat it fresh, torn into pieces, with coffee or a glass of sweet wine.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, sugar, salt and aniseed in a large bowl. Add the eggs, warm milk, olive oil, orange blossom water, brandy and orange zest.
- Mix to a soft dough, then knead on a lightly floured counter for 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. The dough will stay slightly sticky. Knead in the almonds.
- Put the dough in an oiled bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours, until doubled.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment. Divide the dough in half and shape each piece into a flat oval about 2 cm (3/4 in) thick.
- With a sharp knife, cut 5 or 6 slashes through each oval and open them slightly with your fingers. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Brush the loaves with the egg yolk mixture and sprinkle with the sugar.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until deep golden. Cool on a rack and serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- The dough is soft and slightly sticky. Add flour a spoonful at a time while kneading, since too much will make the bread dry.
- Orange blossom water varies in strength. Start with 2 tablespoons, smell the dough, and add a teaspoon more only if the scent is faint.
Questions and answers
What is fugassa?
A sweet Monégasque bread flavored with orange blossom, aniseed and almonds, baked for Christmas. It is different from the savory fougasse of Provence.
Can I make fugassa without brandy?
Yes. Replace it with a tablespoon of milk. The bread will be a little less aromatic but still good.
How long does fugassa keep?
It is best on the day it is baked and the next day. Wrap it well and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze slices for 2 months.
How long does it take to make Fugassa (Monégasque Sweet Orange Blossom and Almond Bread)?
About 55 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fugassa (Monégasque Sweet Orange Blossom and Almond Bread)?
About 285 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 43 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 285 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 43 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 11 g |
| Sodium | 210 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
