Easter is just around the corner, and if you’re looking for a delicious and traditional way to celebrate this holiday, then Ukrainian Babka Easter Bread is the perfect recipe for you. This delightful bread is made with simple ingredients, but it’s the intricate braided shape and the sweet, aromatic flavors that make it a favorite among Ukrainians and anyone else who has tried it. In this article, we’ll share with you two different recipes for Ukrainian Babka Easter Bread that you can try at home, along with all the necessary information you need to make it successfully.
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Recipe 1: Classic Ukrainian Babka Easter Bread
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 packet instant yeast
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 egg yolk, beaten
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Mix well.
- In a small saucepan, heat milk until warm. Remove from heat and add butter, stirring until completely melted.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract to the milk mixture and whisk until well combined.
- Gradually pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture, stirring continuously until a soft dough is formed.
- Add the raisins and knead the dough for 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into three equal parts. Roll each part into a long rope and braid them together.
- Place the braided dough on a greased baking sheet and let it rise again for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Brush the top of the bread with egg yolk and bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let it cool before serving.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 260
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
Cooking Time:
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Rising time: 2 hours
- Baking time: 40-45 minutes
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Baking sheet
- Pastry brush
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve as a dessert or snack with a cup of tea or coffee.
- Serve with honey or jam for a sweeter taste.
Variations:
- Add chopped nuts or candied fruit to the dough for extra flavor and texture.
- Replace raisins with dried cranberries or cherries.
- Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or cardamom to the dough for a spicy twist.
Substitutions:
- You can use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast, but you need to activate it in warm water before using.
- You can use margarine instead of butter, but the taste and texture will be slightly different.
- You can use any dried fruit you like instead of raisins.
Storage:
- Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- You can freeze the bread for up to 1 month. Let it thaw at room temperature before serving.
Tips:
- Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, or it will kill the yeast.
- Knead the dough well to develop gluten and achieve a nice texture.
- Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place to ensure it doubles in size.
Notes:
- This recipe yields one large loaf of bread.
- You can adjust the amount of sugar to your liking.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
- Can I make the dough in advance?
- Can I use fresh yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, but the bread will be denser and heavier.
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough overnight and let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.
Yes, but you need to use three times the amount of instant yeast and activate it in warm water with a pinch of sugar before using.
Recipe 2: Chocolate Ukrainian Babka Easter Bread
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 packet instant yeast
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 egg yolk, beaten
Instructions:
- Follow the same instructions as Recipe 1 until you reach step 5.
- Add the chocolate chips to the dough and knead until they’re evenly distributed.
- Proceed with the rest of the instructions as in Recipe 1.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
Cooking Time:
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Rising time: 2 hours
- Baking time: 40-45 minutes
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Baking sheet
- Pastry brush
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve as a dessert or snack with a glass of milk or hot cocoa.
- Serve with whipped cream or ice cream for a richer taste.
Variations:
- Add chopped nuts or dried fruit to the dough for extra flavor and texture.
- Replace chocolate chips with white chocolate chips or butterscotch chips.
- Add a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder to the dough for a mocha twist.
Substitutions:
- You can use any type of chocolate you like, such as dark, milk, or semisweet.
- You can use margarine instead of butter, but the taste and texture will be slightly different.
- You can use any type of dried fruit or nuts you like instead of chocolate chips.
Storage:
- Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- You can freeze the bread for up to 1 month. Let it thaw at room temperature before serving.
Tips:
- Make sure the chocolate chips are at room temperature before adding them to the dough.
- Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place to ensure