4.9 from 99 votes
Braided Easter Bread Recipe
Braided Easter Bread is soft and has a surprise inside! This Easter bread is laced with farmers cheese, apricots, and orange zest which give the loaf amazing flavor and aroma.
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs 5 mins
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 300 kcal
Course:
Dessert , Bread
Cuisine:
Russian , Ukrainian
Ingredients
For the Paska Easter Bread Dough:
- 1 1/2 tsp instant yeast (4 grams)
- 3 Tbsp granulated sugar (plus 1 tsp)
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 egg
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour *measured correctly
For the Farmer Cheese (Tvorog) Filling:
- 8 1/2 oz farmers cheese (1 3/4 cups packed)
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup dried apricots chopped
- 2 tsp orange zest from 1 medium orange
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp water
Instructions
- In a measuring cup, Combine 1/2 cup warm milk (not hot),1 tsp sugar and 1 1/2 tsp yeast. Stir to combine and let sit 10 min to proof.
- In a small bowl, add 1 egg, remaining 3 Tbsp sugar, 1/8 tsp salt and whisk together. Whisk in warm melted butter (NOT HOT). Lastly whisk in proofed yeast mixture.
- In a large mixing bowl, add 2 1/4 cups flour then add wet ingredients. Combine dough with a spatula then knead by hand 10 min. Dough will be soft and not sticking to your hands. Form dough into a ball then cover bowl with plastic wrap, and let rise at room temperature 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until doubled in size.
- Meanwhile, make cheese filling: In a medium bowl crumble farmers cheese with a fork. Add 1/4 cup sugar and 1 egg yolk. Use spatula to blend until combined and somewhat creamy. Add diced apricots and 2 tsp orange zest.
- Once dough has risen, punch it down and transfer to lightly floured surface. Roll dough into 12"x9" rectangle, between 1/8" and 1/4" thick. Add cheese filling and spread evenly leaving a 1/2" border at the edges.
- Roll dough into a log starting from the long end and pinch edges to seal. Cut the roll in half to split into 2 strands, keeping them attached at one end. Overlap the 2 strands starting at the connected end and weaving them together towards the ends. Pinch the ends to seal. Carefully transfer braid cut-side up to a greased loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise/puff up at room temperature 30-45 min. Beat 1 egg with 1 tsp water and generously brush egg wash over risen loaf.
- Bake in center of oven at 350˚F for 35 to 40 min, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let rest 5 minutes in pan then transfer to wire rack. Dust warm bread with powdered sugar. Once cooled to room temperature, slice and serve.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
300kcal
(15%)
Carbs
43g
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
9g
(14%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
87mg
(29%)
Sodium
183mg
(8%)
Potassium
175mg
(5%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
15g
(30%)
Vitamin A
535IU
(11%)
Vitamin C
0.7mg
(1%)
Calcium
38mg
(4%)
Iron
2.1mg
(12%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 300
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 300kcal | 15% |
| Carbs | 43g | |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 87mg | 29% |
| Sodium | 183mg | 8% |
| Potassium | 175mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 15g | 30% |
| Vitamin A | 535IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 0.7mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 38mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2.1mg | 12% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.