Recipe

Houska - Czech Sweet Bread Recipe

Heavenly Houska: A Delightful Czech Sweet Bread

4.5 out of 5

Indulge in the rich flavors of Czech cuisine with this traditional Houska recipe. This sweet bread, originating from Czech cuisine, is a delightful treat that combines the warmth of homemade bread with the sweetness of raisins and almonds.

Bread› Houska

European cuisine› Alpine cuisine› Czech cuisine

Preparation time

20 minutes

Cooking time

30-35 minutes

Total time

2 hours 25 minutes

Yields

8 servings

Preparation difficulty

Medium

Suitable for

Vegetarian, Nut-free (if almonds are omitted), Soy-free, Peanut-free, Lactose-free (if lactose-free butter is used)

Allergens

Wheat (gluten), Eggs, Dairy (butter), Nuts (almonds)

Not suitable for

Vegan, Gluten-free, Egg-free, Dairy-free, Low-carb

Ingredients

500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
100g (½ cup) granulated sugar 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
1 tsp salt 1 tsp salt
120ml (½ cup) warm milk 120ml (½ cup) warm milk
120ml (½ cup) warm water 120ml (½ cup) warm water
3 large eggs, beaten 3 large eggs, beaten
115g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened 115g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
100g (¾ cup) raisins 100g (¾ cup) raisins
50g (⅓ cup) golden raisins 50g (⅓ cup) golden raisins
50g (½ cup) sliced almonds 50g (½ cup) sliced almonds

Nutrition

Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
Fat: 12g (7g saturated)
Carbohydrates: 54g (22g sugars)
Protein: 8g
Fiber: 2g
Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
2.
Make a well in the center and pour in the warm milk, warm water, and beaten eggs. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
3.
Add the softened butter and knead the dough for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4.
Gently fold in the raisins, golden raisins, and sliced almonds, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
5.
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
6.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7.
Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to the prepared baking sheet. Shape it into a round loaf or a braided loaf, as desired.
8.
Cover the loaf with the kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
9.
Bake the Houska in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
10.
Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

Raisins — Soak the raisins in warm water for 10 minutes before adding them to the dough. This will plump them up and prevent them from drying out during baking.

Tips & Tricks

For a richer flavor, you can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough.
If you prefer a sweeter bread, you can sprinkle some powdered sugar on top of the Houska after it has cooled.
To keep the bread fresh for longer, store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.

Serving advice

Serve the Houska warm or at room temperature. It is delicious on its own, but you can also enjoy it with a spread of butter or your favorite jam.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can sprinkle some sliced almonds on top of the Houska before baking. This will add an extra touch of elegance and visual appeal.