Vánočka - Czech Christmas Bread

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
• 250ml (1 cup) warm milk 250ml (1 cup) warm milk
• 100g (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted 100g (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp ground cardamom 1 tsp ground cardamom
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt ½ tsp salt
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon
• Pearl sugar, for sprinkling Pearl sugar, for sprinkling

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 18g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.4g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, and sugar.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, melted butter, eggs, cardamom, nutmeg, salt, and lemon zest.
3. 3.
   Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
4. 4.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   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.
6. 6.
   Punch down the dough and divide it into three equal parts.
7. 7.
   Roll each part into a long rope and braid them together, tucking the ends underneath.
8. 8.
   Transfer the braided dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. 9.
   Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
10. 10.
    Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
11. 11.
    Brush the top of the Vánočka with beaten egg and sprinkle generously with pearl sugar.
12. 12.
    Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
13. 13.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cardamom — Use freshly ground cardamom for the best flavor.
• Pearl sugar — If you can't find pearl sugar, you can substitute it with coarse sugar or crushed sugar cubes.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavor, you can add a handful of raisins or chopped almonds to the dough.
• For a shiny finish, brush the Vánočka with a mixture of beaten egg and milk before baking.
• Serve the bread warm with butter or jam for a delightful treat.

Serving advice

Vánočka is best enjoyed fresh and warm. Slice it and serve it as a centerpiece during Christmas breakfast or brunch. It pairs well with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Presentation advice

To make the Vánočka even more visually appealing, you can decorate it with a dusting of powdered sugar or edible flowers before serving.