Czech Sweet Easter Bread (Mazanec)
User Reviews
5.0
33 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
30 mins
-
Cook Time
30 mins
-
Additional Time
2 hrs 30 mins
-
Total Time
3 hrs 35 mins
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Servings
1 loaf
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Calories
2950 kcal
-
Cuisine
Czech
Czech Sweet Easter Bread (Mazanec)
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A classic Czech Easter treat, Mazanec—also called Velikonoční bochánek—is a beloved sweet bread and a festive holiday favorite.
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Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup milk lukewarm 100°F-38°C
- 1 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ tick unsalted butter softened at room temperature
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest freshly grated; the zest from about one small lemon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 ½ Tablespoons raisins dried
- 2 Tablespoons almonds chopped
For finishing:
- 1 Tablespoon sliced almonds to garnish
- ½ egg for egg wash
Instructions
- In a cup, heat ¾ cup milk until lukewarm, then stir in 1 teaspoon granulated sugar and 1 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast. Place the cup in a warm spot and let it rest for about 15 minutes, until the mixture is foamy and bubbles form on the surface.
- In a large bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 Tablespoon lemon zest, ¾ stick unsalted butter (softened), and 2 egg yolks. Add the yeast mixture, including the milk, and mix to form a dough.
- Make the dough: Using a wooden spoon, roughly mix the ingredients in the bowl until they come together. Transfer the dough mass to a work surface and sprinkle a small handful of flour on the side. Knead the dough until it becomes soft and smooth, dipping it into the flour as needed if it sticks.
- Add 2 Tablespoons almonds (roughly chopped) and 2 ½ Tablespoons raisins to the dough and knead them in until evenly distributed.
- Place the dough back into the bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 ½ hours or until doubled in size.
- Knead the dough briefly, shape it into a round loaf, and place it seam side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let it rise in a warm place for another hour.
- Make two cross-shaped cuts on the surface of the loaf—a regular razor blade works well, or use a pair of scissors. Whisk ½ egg with a fork and brush Mazanec on all sides. Sprinkle the top with 1 Tablespoon sliced almonds.
- Place the cake in an oven preheated to 360 °F (upper and lower heat) and bake for 35 minutes. If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with foil.
Notes
- SERVING:
- The basic recipe makes one 11-inch (28 cm) mazanec bread.
- Give the dough time to rise! The mazanec bread will crack during baking if you rush the second rise.
- SERVING: Let the baked mazanec cool down. Place the finished bread on a platter and set it on the Easter table. Next to mazanec, arrange some spring flowers and colored Easter eggs.
- Eat this delicious bread on its own for Easter morning or Easter brunch. In our family, we spread butter on it, and sometimes we add some jam or honey. A day or two old mazanec tastes greatly toasted in a frying pan with a knob of butter or dipped in hot cocoa or white coffee.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
2950kcal
(148%)
Carbohydrates
441g
(147%)
Protein
64g
(128%)
Fat
106g
(163%)
Saturated Fat
53g
(265%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
10g
Monounsaturated Fat
34g
Trans Fat
3g
Cholesterol
675mg
(225%)
Sodium
732mg
(31%)
Potassium
1364mg
(39%)
Fiber
18g
(72%)
Sugar
113g
(226%)
Vitamin A
3060IU
(61%)
Vitamin C
10mg
(11%)
Calcium
467mg
(47%)
Iron
21mg
(117%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1loaf
Amount Per Serving
Calories 2950 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 2950kcal | 148% |
| Carbohydrates | 441g | 147% |
| Protein | 64g | 128% |
| Fat | 106g | 163% |
| Saturated Fat | 53g | 265% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 10g | 59% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 34g | 170% |
| Trans Fat | 3g | 150% |
| Cholesterol | 675mg | 225% |
| Sodium | 732mg | 31% |
| Potassium | 1364mg | 29% |
| Fiber | 18g | 72% |
| Sugar | 113g | 226% |
| Vitamin A | 3060IU | 61% |
| Vitamin C | 10mg | 11% |
| Calcium | 467mg | 47% |
| Iron | 21mg | 117% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
33 reviews
Excellent
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