Baking Ukrainian Christmas bread with Olia Hercules

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil offers a dairy-free option with similar texture.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: plain yogurt

Greek yogurt adds creaminess with fewer calories.

raisins

🥗Healthier: dried cranberries

💰Cheaper: sultanas

Cranberries provide a tart flavor while sultanas are often less expensive.

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: bread flour

Whole wheat flour increases fiber content.

Add 100 ml of water to a bowl and stir in 7 g of dried yeast; let it sit to check if the yeast is active.

Add 150 g of caster sugar, a bit of salt, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture.

Crack in 2 eggs and mix well.

Add 200 g of roasted pumpkin puree and mix through.

Dump in all-purpose flour and stir until combined.

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until fluffy and smooth.

Let the dough rise for about an hour until doubled in size.

Divide the dough into four pieces and roll each into long sausages.

Braid the dough pieces together by weaving them over and under.

Pinch the ends together to form a circle and place it on a greased tray.

Cover and let it prove for at least half an hour.

Glaze the top and sprinkle with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and poppy seeds before baking.

Bake until golden brown.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens