Recipe
Houska - Czech Sweet Bread Recipe
Heavenly Houska: A Delightful Czech Sweet Bread
4.6 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.
Metadata
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
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500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
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7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
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100g (½ cup) granulated sugar 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
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1 tsp salt 1 tsp salt
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120ml (½ cup) warm milk 120ml (½ cup) warm milk
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120ml (½ cup) warm water 120ml (½ cup) warm water
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3 large eggs, beaten 3 large eggs, beaten
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115g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened 115g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
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100g (¾ cup) raisins 100g (¾ cup) raisins
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50g (⅓ cup) golden raisins 50g (⅓ cup) golden raisins
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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
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1.In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
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2.Make a well in the center and pour in the warm milk, warm water, and beaten eggs. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
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3.Add the softened butter and knead the dough for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
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4.Gently fold in the raisins, golden raisins, and sliced almonds, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
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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.
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6.Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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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.
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8.Cover the loaf with the kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
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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.
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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.
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