Easter Paska Bread
User Reviews
5
Easter Paska Bread
Description
This Easter Paska Bread recipe begins with a yeast starter combining active yeast, warm milk, sugar, water, and flour, left to rise until significantly puffed. The dough is made by incorporating whisked egg yolks with sugar and salt, soft butter, vanilla extract, ground almonds, dried fruit, and lemon zest, adding layers of texture and bright notes. Egg whites are whisked separately to soft peaks and folded gently into the dough to maintain airiness.
The dough is mixed gently by hand or with a mixer using a hook attachment to avoid over-beating, which preserves structure. This process yields a sweet, soft dough studded with raisins that have been soaked and dried beforehand for plumpness. The bread is shaped and left to rise before baking, resulting in a tender, fragrant loaf.
The final touch is a glaze made of powdered sugar, lemon juice, and egg white, spread over the cooled bread to add sweetness and a delicate shine. This bread pairs well with festive meals or as a sweet snack during Easter gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Starter:
- 1 instant yeast 7 grams, envelope
- 1 cup milk lukewarm, whole
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 teaspoon water lukewarm
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
For the Dough:
- 6 egg yolk
- 3 egg white
- 2/3 cups white sugar
- 1 cup butter room temperature, unsalted
- 2 2/3 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
- orange zest of two
- 1 cup dried fruit
- 1/2 cup almonds ground
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg for brushing, yolk
Glaze:
- 1 egg white
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- About two hours ahead of time, add raisins to a medium bowl and cover in hot water. Set aside. After two hours, drain and place on paper towels to dry.
For the Starter:
- Add yeast and sugar to a large bowl, stir to combine. Pour warm milk and water, stir to combine, melting the sugar.
- Start adding the flour, little by little, stirring to incorporate.
- Once combined, cover with a clean towel and set aside in a warm place for about 2-3 hours, until the dough is 2-3 times larger.
For the Dough:
- Whisk egg yolks with sugar and salt until smooth and creamy.
- Separately whisk egg whites until they resemble soft, firm clouds.
- Add the egg yolk mixture to the bowl with the dough, gently stir it in. Preferably this should be done using your hands, to make sure you don't over-beat the dough.
- Next, add the very softened butter, salt and vanilla, and using your hands or now a mixer with the hook attachment, gently stir in the butter into the dough.
- Next, add the egg whites, and slowly beat until fully combined. Add the flour and stir until combined. Knead the dough in the bowl, make it into a ball, cover again with a clean kitchen towel and transfer the bowl to a warm place. Let it rest for 2-3 hours.
- Using a food processor ground the almonds, so they almost resemble almond flour.
- Add ground almonds, orange zest, dried fruits, and raisins to the dough. Stir well to combine.
- Use butter or baking spray to grease the Paska Baking Forms, if desired, cut and add parchment paper inside.
- Fill them with dough halfway. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for 30-40 minutes, but not longer.
Bake:
- Adjust oven rack in the middle or lower in the oven.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Whisk remaining egg yolk and brush the tops of the Paskas.
- Transfer into the oven and bake for 30-45 minutes, a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
- Once done baking, transfer to a wire rack and let them fully cool.
Glaze:
- Add all the ingredients to a large bowl. Whisk on high speed until firm clouds form.
- Distribute the glaze equally over the top of the paskas.
- Let the glaze settle and only after that sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles if desired.
- Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4medium paskas
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1141 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 1141kcal | 57% |
| Carbohydrates | 128g | 43% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 65g | 100% |
| Saturated Fat | 33g | 165% |
| Cholesterol | 466mg | 155% |
| Sodium | 654mg | 27% |
| Potassium | 680mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 73g | 146% |
| Vitamin A | 2050IU | 41% |
| Vitamin C | 3.4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 224mg | 22% |
| Iron | 4.6mg | 26% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
