Are you looking for a unique and delicious bread recipe to celebrate Easter? Look no further than Ukrainian paska bread! This traditional bread is a staple in Ukrainian households during the Easter season and is a must-try for anyone who loves bread. In this blog post, we will share two different paska bread recipes that are sure to impress your family and friends.
Recipe 1: Classic Ukrainian Paska Easter Bread
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup milk
- 4 eggs
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
- Add in the softened butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise for 1-2 hours in a warm place.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a large baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Divide the dough into two equal parts and shape each part into a ball. Place them in the baking pan and let them rise again for 30-40 minutes.
- Brush the top of the dough with egg yolk.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Let it cool completely before serving.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 297
Fat: 13g
Carbohydrates: 39g
Protein: 6g
Cooking Time:
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixer or wooden spoon
- Dough scraper
- Baking pan
- Basting brush
- Oven
Serving Suggestions:
Paska bread is typically served during Easter with butter, honey, or jam. It can also be enjoyed as a snack or breakfast bread.
Variations:
You can add raisins, dried cranberries, or candied orange peel to the dough for a sweeter and more flavorful bread. You can also sprinkle the top of the bread with poppy seeds or sesame seeds before baking.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter and omit the salt in the recipe. You can also use vegetable oil instead of butter. If you don’t have active dry yeast, you can use instant yeast or fresh yeast. If you don’t have milk, you can use water or almond milk.
Storage:
You can store the paska bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the bread for up to 3 months.
Tips:
- Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before mixing it with the other ingredients.
- Knead the dough well until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is paska bread?
- What does paska bread taste like?
- Can I make paska bread without a mixer?
Paska bread is a traditional Easter bread in Ukraine made with flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and milk. It is typically shaped into a round loaf and decorated with symbols of Easter such as crosses or braids.
Paska bread is a sweet and buttery bread with a soft and fluffy texture. It has a subtle vanilla flavor and is often served with honey or jam.
Yes, you can mix the dough by hand using a wooden spoon or a dough scraper. Knead the dough well until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Recipe 2: Chocolate Paska Easter Bread
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup milk
- 4 eggs
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 egg yolk
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and cocoa powder.
- Add in the softened butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Stir in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise for 1-2 hours in a warm place.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a large baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Divide the dough into two equal parts and shape each part into a ball. Place them in the baking pan and let them rise again for 30-40 minutes.
- Brush the top of the dough with egg yolk.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Let it cool completely before serving.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 340
Fat: 16g
Carbohydrates: 44g
Protein: 7g
Cooking Time:
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixer or wooden spoon
- Dough scraper
- Baking pan
- Basting brush
- Oven
Serving Suggestions:
Chocolate paska bread is perfect for those who love chocolate. It can be served with whipped cream or fresh fruit for a decadent dessert or breakfast treat.
Variations:
You can add nuts or dried fruit to the dough for added texture and flavor. You can also use white chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate chips.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter and omit the salt in the recipe. You can also use vegetable oil instead of butter. If you don’t have active dry yeast, you can use instant yeast or fresh yeast. If you don’t have milk, you can use water or almond milk. If you don’t have chocolate chips, you can use chopped chocolate or cocoa nibs.
Storage:
You can store the chocolate paska bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the bread for up to 3 months.
Tips:
- Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before mixing it with the other ingredients.
- Knead the dough well until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is chocolate paska bread?
- Can I use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate?
- Can I make this bread without chocolate chips?
Chocolate paska bread is a variation of the traditional Easter bread in Ukraine made with flour, sugar, butter, eggs, milk, and cocoa powder. It is typically shaped into a round loaf and studded with chocolate chips or chunks.
Yes, you can use any type of chocolate you prefer. Dark chocolate will give the bread a richer and more intense chocolate flavor.
Yes, you can omit the chocolate chips or replace them with nuts or dried fruit.
Final Thoughts
Ukrainian paska Easter bread is a delicious and unique bread