Cougnou

1. In a saucepan, begin melting the butter on low heat.
2. In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in lukewarm milk. While the yeast is dissolving, add the flour, salt, sugar, large eggs, melted butter, and dissolved yeast in a separate bowl so you can start mixing.
3. Mix it until it starts forming dough; add flour if the dough is too sticky and now you can add the raisins and pearl sugar.
4. Divide the dough into 2 or 4 pieces and set it aside for 30 minutes so it can rise.
5. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C and prepare the loaf pans. You need to grease the pans well so the bread does not stick.
6. Before placing in the oven, make a few cuts on top of the loaves with a knife and bake it for 30 to 40 minutes.
7. After it has baked, pour sugar water on the Cougnou and put in a switched off oven for 15 minutes.
8. Decorate the bread as per your will.
9. The popular decorations are ribbons, flowers, and sugar.

Trivia

• Cougnou is often referred to as Jesus Christ’s bread.
• When children are given a slice of Cougnou, it is accompanied by a cup of hot chocolate.

People say that Cougnou originated from ancient Hainaut.