Silan Date Roll

Dough:

1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp sugar

1/2 cup warm water or milk

1 tsp dry yeast

1 cup oil minus 1 Tbsp (or half oil and half melted butter)

3 cups flour

3 egg yolks

Filling:

1/4 cup silan (approximately)

2/3 cup shredded, sweetened coconut flakes

cinnamon, for sprinkling

ground walnuts, for sprinkling (optional)

Egg Wash:

1 egg yolk

1/2 tsp water

Place the sugar and warm water in a large mixing bowl and add yeast.  Let proof for 8-10 minutes.  Add remaining dough ingredients in the order they appear, and mix with your hands just until they are incorporated and a smooth dough forms.  Do not overmix.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise for 45 minutes.

Roll our the dough between two pieces of parchment paper into a large oval, approximately 1/4-inch (6 mm) thick.  Spread the silan over the dough, and sprinkle with coconut and cinnamon.  Add nuts, if desired.  Roll up the dough into a spiral and place seam side down onto a lined baking sheet.  Mix the yold and water for the egg wash in a small bowl, and brush onto cake.

Preheat oven for 350F.  Let cake rise for another 20 minutes.  Bake for 45 minuts.  Allow to cool, then slice.

This recipe appeared in Mishpacha Magazine, Issue 307, September 2012.