Mucenici Moldovenesti (Romanian Walnut-Coated Pastries)

The dough:

1. Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. Warm the milk slightly.
2. Mix the lukewarm milk with the dry yeast and set it aside for 10 minutes to activate the yeast.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, whisk, then add the flavorings (vanilla essence and lemon zest).
4. Gradually fold in the flour and knead for a few minutes by hand.
5. Add the soft butter and continue kneading until you have a compact and very elastic dough.
6. If you have a planetary mixer, follow the steps above and knead with the dough hook. I can honestly say that for me, who has been cooking for need and pleasure for so long, a planetary mixer is lifesaving. So, I highly recommend a planetary mixer, whether it's Kitchen Aid (number one in the top), Thermomix (which is so much more than a planetary mixer) or a different brand.
7. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl/food container and leave to rise for 1 hour or until it doubles its volume.
8. When the dough has doubled its volume, turn it out onto a floured surface, shape it into a ball and divide it into equal parts, which you then shape into balls.
9. Punch a hole in the middle of each dough ball and widen it until you get a donut shape. Twist the donut into a figure eight. This is a Moldavian mucenic. Place them in a baking pan lined with parchment paper, leave at room temperature for another 20 minutes. You can also shape them according to the attached photo.
10. In the meantime heat the oven to 180° C/ 356° F, no fan

Assembling, baking & serving:

1. Brush the rolls with egg and bake at 180° C/ 356° F for 30-35 minutes.
2. While they are still warm, brush them with honey and sprinkle with ground walnut mixed with some sugar (optional).
3. A glass of cold milk is the lifelong friend of these Moldavian rolls!
4. Enjoy!