Pasca - Romanian Easter Bread - Amazing Recipe to Celebrate Easter

cottage cheese

🥗Healthier: ricotta cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Ricotta is lower in fat and calories while maintaining a similar texture.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is a dairy-free alternative, while margarine is often cheaper.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: plain yogurt

Greek yogurt provides a tangy flavor with fewer calories.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: soy milk

Almond milk is lower in calories, while soy milk is often cheaper.

Dissolve 1 1/4 tsp active dry yeast with 1 tsp sugar in 1/3 cup lukewarm milk and let it rest for 5 minutes.

In a bowl, combine 2 ⅔ cups flour, 1/3 cup sugar, and ½ tsp salt.

Add the dissolved yeast mixture, 1/2 cup lukewarm milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 beaten egg to the flour mixture.

Add ¼ cup melted butter and start kneading the dough for about 5 minutes until smooth.

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover, and let it rest for about 1 hour until doubled in size.

Flour ⅓ of the dough (about 9 oz) for the base and roll it out to a 10-inch diameter.

Transfer the base dough to a greased and lined 10-inch pan.

Divide the remaining dough into two parts for the braid, rolling each into a long string about 31 inches long and braid them together.

Place the braid around the edge of the pan.

Cut ⅓ of the dough for the cross, divide the remaining dough in half, and roll each piece until 8 inches long.

Divide the small piece of dough in half and roll each until about 4 inches long to form the cross.

In a bowl, mix 12 oz of farmer's cheese, ¼ cup sour cream, ½ cup sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, lemon zest, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 3 eggs one at a time.

Add 2 tbsp semolina or flour and 2 oz raisins or cranberries to the cheese mixture and mix to combine.

Pour the cheese mixture into the center of the dough in the pan and brush the top with beaten egg.

Bake at 320F (160C) for 40-50 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.

Let cool completely before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens