Ukrainian Easter Bread - Paska

Ingredients

• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup (120ml) warm milk 1/2 cup (120ml) warm milk
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 orange
• 1 egg yolk, beaten (for egg wash) 1 egg yolk, beaten (for egg wash)
• Optional: colored sprinkles for decoration Optional: colored sprinkles for decoration

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 9g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 43g, 14g
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.3g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
3. 3.
   Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the yeast mixture, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
4. 4.
   Mix the ingredients together until a dough forms.
5. 5.
   Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
6. 6.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
7. 7.
   Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal portions.
8. 8.
   Shape each portion into a round loaf and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. 9.
   Cover the loaves with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
10. 10.
    Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
11. 11.
    Brush the loaves with the beaten egg yolk and decorate with colored sprinkles, if desired.
12. 12.
    Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
13. 13.
    Remove from the oven and let the loaves cool on a wire rack before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Orange zest — Make sure to use organic oranges and wash them thoroughly before zesting to avoid any pesticide residue.
• Active dry yeast — Check the expiration date on the yeast package to ensure its freshness. If the yeast doesn't foam after dissolving in warm milk, it may be inactive, and the bread won't rise properly.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a soft and tender texture, make sure not to over-knead the dough.
• For a more pronounced citrus flavor, you can add a few drops of orange extract in addition to the orange zest.
• If you prefer a sweeter bread, you can increase the amount of sugar to your liking.
• To create a shiny crust, brush the loaves with a sugar syrup after baking.
• Paska is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze it for longer shelf life.

Serving advice

Serve Paska sliced and spread with butter for a delicious breakfast or snack. It can also be enjoyed alongside other traditional Ukrainian Easter dishes, such as ham, kielbasa, and beet salad.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of Paska, you can dust the loaves with powdered sugar before serving. You can also place a small decorative Easter egg in the center of each loaf for an added festive touch.