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Kulich – Sweet Russian Easter Bread
Russian Kulich (sweet Easter bread) is fluffy, fragrant, soft and aromatic. This recipe is healthier and less time-consuming than the original. This kulich doesn't go stale for more than 10 days!
Prep Time
2 hrs
Cook Time
mins
Total Time
2 hrs 45 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 276 kcal
Course:
Bread
Cuisine:
Russian
Ingredients
For the kulich:
- 80 grams or 1/3 cup or 2/3 stick butter at room temperature
- 42 grams or 4 tablespoons fresh yeast (or 14 grams or 5 teaspoons dry yeast)
- 100 ml or 0.4 cup lukewarm milk + 1 tablespoon
- 100 ml or 0.4 cup agave nectar
- 500 grams or around 4 cups flour I used 1:1 ratio of all-purpose to whole wheat flour
- 3 eggs + 1 egg yolk
- zest of 1 big orange and 1 big lemon
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- a pinch of salt
For the glaze:
- 80 grams or 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons sugar pearls to garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together softened butter, crumbled (or dry) yeast, milk and agave nectar. Put the flour into a large bowl, make a well in the middle and pour the butter mixture in it. Knead until smooth. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix together three eggs, orange and lemon zest, cardamom and a pinch of salt. Add it to the dough and knead again. Cover and let raise in a warm place for 90 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare a tall backing form or a saucepan. You can watch this video tutorial on how to line your backing form with parchment paper. Alternatively, use Panettone paper molds. Knead the dough once again, transfer to the baking form/saucepan/paper mold and let rest for 30 more minutes. Preheat the oven to 200 °C or 390 °F. Mix 1 tablespoon milk with an egg yolk and coat the top of the kulich using a little brush. Bake kulich for 25 minutes until golden brown. Let cool before taking it out of the form/paper.
- Make the glaze: mix together powdered sugar and lemon juice. Add 1 tablespoon water to thin it up. Once the kulich is cooled, pour the glaze over it and sprinkle with sugar pearls before the glaze sets. Serve with paskha. Enjoy!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Active working time is 20 minutes, waiting for the dough to rise will take around 2 hours and baking time is 25 minutes.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 10 days. When stale, use kulich for making French toasts.
Nutrition Information
Calories
276kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
46g
(15%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
7g
(11%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
56mg
(19%)
Sodium
69mg
(3%)
Potassium
91mg
(3%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
12g
(24%)
Vitamin A
240IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
0.5mg
(1%)
Calcium
23mg
(2%)
Iron
2.3mg
(13%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 276
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 276kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 46g | 15% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 56mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 69mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 91mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 240IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 0.5mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 23mg | 2% |
| Iron | 2.3mg | 13% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.