Ukrainian Easter Bread

Steps to make Ukrainian Easter Bread

1. 1

   Heat milk and add raisins

   3
   

   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
   

   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.

4. 3

   Combine wet and dry ingredients

   8
   

   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.

5. 4

   Shape dough

   1
   

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

6. 5

   Rise

   1h
   

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

7. 6

   Divide dough

   5
   

   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.

8. 7

   Arrange dough braid on top

   1
   

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

9. 8

   Preheat oven

   Preheat the oven to 350 °F.

10. 9

    Bake

    40
    

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

11. 10

    Cool
    

    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.

12. 11

    Serve
    

    Slice and enjoy!