MEMORIES OF MACEDONIA ~ KOZINJAK (Macedonian Sweet Bread)

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil reduces saturated fat while maintaining moisture.

nuts

🥗Healthier: seeds

💰Cheaper: chopped peanuts

Seeds provide crunch without allergens.

raisins

🥗Healthier: dried cranberries

💰Cheaper: sultanas

Cranberries add tartness and color.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey offers natural sweetness with a unique flavor.

Add 2 sachets of instant yeast to warm milk with 4.5 teaspoons of sugar and a couple of teaspoons of flour, mix and let bloom for about 10 minutes.

Whisk 3 eggs in a bowl, then add more milk, sugar, and a couple of teaspoons of oil, and whisk again.

Add about 1.5 teaspoons of lemon rind to the egg mixture and mix well.

In a separate bowl, combine flour with a pinch of salt and make a well in the center.

Pour in the yeast mixture and the egg mixture into the well and mix until a wet dough forms.

Knead the dough in the bowl until soft and elastic, then cover with flour and plastic wrap, and let rest for 5 minutes.

Knead the dough on a floured surface for another 5 minutes until very soft and elastic.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.

Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a floured surface, knead for a couple of minutes.

Optionally, add raisins and knead for another 5 minutes if desired, but the creator chooses not to add raisins.

Let the dough rise again for 15-30 minutes until it has risen nicely.

Divide the dough into three equal parts and roll each into a 15-inch rope.

Braid the three ropes together and tuck the ends under.

Place the braided dough in a greased clay pot or baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Cover and let rise for the last proofing for about 30 minutes.

Brush the bread with an egg wash made from 1 egg and a dash of milk.

Sprinkle sesame seeds on top before baking.

Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for about 10 minutes until golden, then cover with tin foil and bake at 150°C until set, uncovering for the last 10 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens