How To Make Koledna Pitka | Beautiful Bulgarian Christmas Bread Recipe

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil offers a dairy-free option while maintaining richness.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk reduces calories and is suitable for lactose intolerance.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey provides natural sweetness with a distinct flavor.

eggs

🥗Healthier: flaxseed meal

💰Cheaper: egg substitute

Flaxseed meal is a vegan alternative that binds ingredients.

Prepare a tray with non-stick paper.

Gather equipment: bowl, scales, dough scraper, temperature probe, brush, and rolling pin.

Measure milk to around 13 degrees Celsius.

In a bowl, combine milk, yeast, salt, sugar, the whole egg, and soft butter; mix to dissolve sugar and hydrate yeast.

Add flour to the mixture and mix until no dry flour is visible.

Knead the dough on a table for 5-7 minutes until smooth and stretchy.

Place the dough in a bowl, cover, and let ferment for one hour.

After the first proof, fold the dough to create gluten structure and equalize temperature, then cover and let ferment for another hour.

Divide the dough into six equal pieces and pre-shape them into rounds, covering them to rest.

Flatten one dough ball with a rolling pin to about 2 millimeters thick, brush with melted butter, and cut in half to create two individual buns.

Roll each half from end to end to create layers, repeating for five buns and keeping one whole for the centerpiece.

Arrange the rolled buns around the whole bun on the tray, with loose ends pointing to the middle.

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius with a fan.

Cover the dough and let it ferment for 1 to 1.5 hours until puffed up.

Brush the dough with the egg and milk glaze, let dry for five minutes, then brush again.

Optionally, score the dough with scissors for decoration.

Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes until golden brown.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

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