Easter Bread Recipe - Mazanec - Czech Cookbook

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is dairy-free and adds a subtle flavor.

almonds

🥗Healthier: walnuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts provide healthy fats and sunflower seeds are budget-friendly.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk is lower in calories, while water is cost-effective.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey offers natural sweetness, while brown sugar is often cheaper.

Warm 3/4 cup of milk in the microwave for about 40 seconds until lukewarm.

Add 1 teaspoon of sugar to the warm milk and mix in 3 teaspoons of dry yeast. Set a timer for 10 minutes to let it activate.

In a KitchenAid mixer, combine the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 4 cups of all-purpose flour. Mix to combine.

Zest one lemon into the flour mixture and mix again.

Melt 1 stick of butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds and add it to the flour mixture.

Add 1 whole egg and separate 3 egg yolks, adding them to the mixture as well.

After 10 minutes, check the yeast mixture; it should be foamy. Add it to the flour mixture.

Using the dough hook attachment, mix the dough on slow speed for 10 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed.

After mixing, fold in 1/2 cup of raisins into the dough by hand.

Place the dough in a floured bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1.5 hours.

After 1.5 hours, punch down the dough and divide it in half to shape into two smaller loaves.

Shape each half into a round ball and flatten slightly before placing on a baking tray lined with baking paper.

Cover the loaves with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 1.5 hours in a warm place.

After the second rise, cut a cross on top of each loaf using kitchen scissors.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Brush the tops of the loaves with 1 egg yolk and sprinkle with sliced almonds.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes for smaller loaves or 40 minutes for a larger loaf, checking for doneness with a skewer.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens