Ukrainian Easter Bread

Ukrainian Easter Bread

Paska

Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 1h 19m
Cook Time: 40m
Total Time: 1h 59m
Temp.: 350 °F
Servings: 8
Difficulty: Easy
4.9 (14 Reviews)
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Ingredients

Adjust servings:

For egg wash:

Nutritional Information

394
Calories
8.6g
Fat
70.3g
Carbohydrate
9.9g
Protein
59mg
Cholesterol
363mg
Sodium
Ukrainian Easter Bread

Recipe Description

Ukrainian Easter Bread, aka paska, is a delicious, traditional bread made for Easter. To me, Easter is all about baking and enjoying the home-cooked feast. So, this paska recipe hits the spot and remains a family favorite.

The recipe is simple to make and uses pantry staples like milk, flour, yeast, butter, eggs, and sugar. For a soft and airy, subtly sweet Easter bread, I add raisins, orange and lemon zest to a simple, milk-based yeasted dough and give it plenty of time to rise. I use instant yeast in this recipe to keep the dough-making process quick and easy. Eggs and butter add richness to the dough, and an egg wash gives the paska a beautiful golden-brown sheen once baked. As for decoration, I opt for a simple two-strand braid for this bread. But it’s totally optional.

To make the Ukrainian Easter Bread, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Ukrainian Easter Bread

Steps to make

  1. 1

    Heat milk and add raisins

    3 min
    Step 1 - Ukrainian Easter Bread

    To a saucepan, add 1 cup milk and heat over medium heat until scalded, 180 °F, and remove from the heat. Add in 1 cup raisins and set aside.

  2. 2

    Combine dry ingredients

    1 min
    Step 2 - Ukrainian Easter Bread

    In a bowl of a stand mixer, mix together 4 cups all-purpose flour, ¼ cup sugar, 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast, and 1 teaspoon salt.

  3. 3

    Combine wet and dry ingredients

    8 min
    Step 3 - Ukrainian Easter Bread

    Add in the milk with raisins, 2 eggs, and ¼ cup melted butter. Add 1 teaspoon each of orange and lemon zest. Use the dough attachment to knead the dough for about 5-8 minutes until a soft and pliable dough forms.

  4. 4

    Shape dough

    1 min
    Step 4 - Ukrainian Easter Bread

    Shape the dough into a ball and place it into a lightly greased large bowl.

  5. 5

    Rise

    1h
    Step 5 - Ukrainian Easter Bread

    Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

  6. 6

    Divide dough

    5 min
    Step 6 - Ukrainian Easter Bread

    Punch the dough down and cut off about 250 grams of dough for decorations if you wish. Grease a round baking dish, about 8 inches wide and 4 inches deep. Form the larger piece of the dough into a ball and place it into the dish. Divide the remaining dough into two pieces. Shape each piece into a long 25-inch rope. Twist the ropes together.

  7. 7

    Arrange dough braid on top

    1 min
    Step 7 - Ukrainian Easter Bread

    Lay the dough braid on top of the paska. Cover and let the dough rise for 30 minutes.

  8. 8

    Preheat oven

    Preheat the oven to 350 °F.

  9. 9

    Bake

    40 min
    Step 9 - Ukrainian Easter Bread

    Whisk together egg and water and brush the dough gently. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Cover with foil if the top gets too brown.

  10. 10

    Cool

    Step 10 - Ukrainian Easter Bread

    Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool in the pan. Once it's cool enough to handle, remove it from the pan. Cool completely on a wire cooling rack.

  11. 11

    Serve

    Step 11 - Ukrainian Easter Bread

    Slice and enjoy!

About the author

Jelena Mardere

Jelena is an interior designer and young mom! As a busy working mom, her time is precious so she’s always looking for a quick and efficient way to get things done. Jelena is very creative, but has a strong practical side. She loves trying new things and travels a lot, especially around Europe. The kitchen is Jelena’s safe space, where she can let her creative side out and dedicate herself to her favorite hobby - cooking!

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
4.9 out of 5 (14 reviews)
Grace Thompson
March 19, 2025
Verified

Fantastic! I baked this Ukrainian Easter Bread for my first Easter dinner alone, and it turned out so soft and fluffy! The smell of the dough rising brought back memories of family gatherings, and my friends loved it too. This recipe is a great reminder of home!

Quinn
January 10, 2025
Verified

This Ukrainian Easter Bread recipe is simply great! I remember baking it with my mom every Easter. The aroma fills the house, and the kids love the sweet taste. A family must-have!

Daniel
March 14, 2024
Verified

Family loved it

Chloe
November 17, 2023
Verified

Simply the best!

Gina Walker
October 3, 2023
Verified

This kulich recipe is super easy! Loved it!

Samantha Bright
April 30, 2023
Verified

Best Easter bread ever! Kids loved it.

Rose Clark
August 2, 2022
Verified

Great recipe! Followed exactly, turned out great. Thank you.

Ogiway
July 21, 2022
Verified

I have used this recipe over and over, it is simply the best.

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