What is Cougna?

It is a sweet yeast bread that resembles the shape of a swadded child. Given that this child is to represent Jesus, so bread is also known as Jesus' bread. Different types of such sweet and yeast breads are usually consumed as Christmas foods in European low countries; Cougna came from the province of Hainaut, which, when it was created by Henry IV in 1071, included parts of Belgium and France, so Cougou's breads can also be found in French cuisine. In addition to Christmas time, these sweet breads are usually available in grocery stores, bakeries and restaurants throughout the year. Cougna is often eaten with hot chocolate. First, the versatile flour and salt mix together in a large mixing bowl and warm milk and yeast are added to the bowl, allowed to sit for a few minutes and then mix thoroughly. The next step is to add eggs, cinnamon, soft butter and granulated sugar to the bowl and the dough is then processed in a kitchen robot to get smoothé textured dough.

Cougny dough is sprinkled with flour to make it less sticky, and then it is well nasty, covered with a damp cloth and put aside for several hours. After the dough rises and doubles, it is kneaded again and the raisins and the fruit pieces are pushing into it. The dough is then divided into several smaller sections, and they are connected to obtain the necessary shape of a shaken child. The shaped dough is again covered with a damp cloth and set aside for several hours.

Raised dough is another slightly brushed with glaze with a mixture of egg yolk, milk and sugar and placed in a baking pan and baked at a high temperature; Traditionally in Belgium and Belgian American communities, baking bread was carried out wholesale in outdoor pastries. The bread must be baked for about half an hour and it happens when it became rich dark brown. Cougnous bread is given to children and adults for Christmas and can be decorated with colored sugar, brightFlowers, clay circles or plaster.