By Tűzkő Estate, Tolna wine region

‘Kuglof’ or Kugelhopf is likely to originate from Germany or Austria, and since Hungary was part of the Austro–Hungarian Empire, we share several recipes with our former partner country. The dough itself is quite similar to that of the Italian panettone, however, the shape is different.

There is a legend about the origin: “The kugelhopf is as popular in Germany and Austria as it is in Alsace, and one story says it originated in Vienna when the Habsburg forces defeated the Turks at the city’s gates. In celebration, Viennese bakers supposedly made a cake in the shape of the sultan’s turban.“

The legend is far from the truth, as Thomas Brandl wine writer from Germany commented. “This cake is common in Austria + South Germany under the Name “Guglhupf”, the Swiss call it “Gugelhupf” and the Alsaciens “Kougelhopf”. The name derives from the headscarf of women in these regions during the 17th century. But it has nothing to do with the Turks.”
Bruno Gaberšek, a fellow winelover gave additional information: “All over former K&K we call it almost the same. With us Kuglof. It’s from (obviously) famous viennese cuisine and it has roots in German word Gugelhupf, which might originates from the word “gugele”, the capuciner monks’ head cover.“

Tűzkő Estate – located in the heart of tranquility

Tolna wine region is situated in the south-west of Hungary, and though it is less known than its neighbours (Villány and Szekszárd), it is worth a visit. Its hilly landscape is wonderful in every season, also in winter, covered with snow, with tiny villages dotting the white blanket of the land.

Tűzkő Estate – belonging to Italian superstar Marchese Piero Antinori – is the leading winery of the region producing award winning white, rose and red wines – Tűzkő Domb blend made of Cabernet Franc and Merlot is a success story in itself.

Kuglof with rosé wine – a very simple recipe (below the photo)

Ingredients

• 300 g soft margarine
• 50 g sugar
• 2 tbs vanilla sugar
• 5 eggs
• 300 g flour
• 1 packet of backing powder
• 1 tbs ground cinnamon
• 125 ml Tűzkő Banka Cabernet Franc Rosé

Preparation

• Beat well the margarine and add the sugar, the vanilla sugar and the eggs gradually
• Stir the flour with the baking powder and the cinnamon and later also with the wine, again slowly, gradually.
• Mix the dough, spread it in a baking tray (spread some butter in the tray previously). Bake it for 60 minutes at 170 C.

Tűzkő wines are available in several countries:

The Netherlands (Activin B.V.), Belgium (Drankenservice Vandermolen – Vanko bvba), Germany (Xaver Troiber e.k. ; Weinland Ariane Abayan GmbH ), Poland (LAUBEL – Peter Illesy), Switzerland (Globalwein AG – Philipp Reher), Taiwan (European Consumer Product Trading Co. Ltd.), Canada (Mark Anthony Brands), USA (Hemispheres LLC), Israel (Havit Hungarit), Italy (Marchesi Antinori S.p.A)

If you can’t find an importer near your home, you can order Tűzkő wines from Winelovers Webshop, they ship to every European country.

More about Tűzkő Estate

See another kuglof recipe by HonestCooking