5 from 33 votes
Czech Sweet Easter Bread (Mazanec)
Czech Sweet Easter Bread, or Mazanec, is a yeast-leavened sweet bread flavored with lemon zest, vanilla, raisins, and chopped almonds. The dough is enriched with milk, butter, and egg yolks, resulting in a soft, tender crumb. The dough is rested to rise twice, then shaped, topped with sliced almonds and an egg wash before baking. It has a delicate crust and a rich, slightly sweet interior traditionally enjoyed during Easter celebrations.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs 30 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 35 mins
Servings:
1
loaf
Calories:
2950 kcal
Cuisine:
Czech
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 butter softened at room temperature, unsalted
- 2 egg yolk
- 1 Tablespoon lemon freshly grated; the zest from about one small lemon, zest
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 ½ Tablespoons raisins dried
- 2 Tablespoons almonds chopped
For finishing:
- 1 Tablespoon almonds to garnish, sliced
- 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.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- This recipe yields one 11-inch (28 cm) Mazanec bread, perfect for Easter celebrations.
- Allow sufficient time for the dough's second rise to prevent cracking during baking.
- After baking, let the bread cool completely before serving or displaying.
- Mazanec is traditionally served at Easter, often accompanied by butter, jam, or honey.
- Day-old bread toasts well in a frying pan with butter or can be dipped in hot cocoa or coffee.
Nutrition Information
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%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1 loaf
Amount Per Serving
Calories 2950
% 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.