Paska Bread (Easter Bread from the PA Coal Region)

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil adds a subtle flavor while reducing saturated fat.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water + powdered milk

Almond milk offers a dairy-free option with a nutty flavor.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey provides natural sweetness and moisture.

raisins

🥗Healthier: dried cranberries

💰Cheaper: sultanas

Dried cranberries add a tart flavor and color.

Mix yeast with 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 cup of warm water; let sit for about 5 minutes until bubbly.

Add 0.5 cups of nonfat dry milk powder and 2.5 cups of flour to the yeast mixture; mix until a soft dough forms.

Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm spot for about 20 minutes until bubbly.

Add remaining sugar, salt, eggs, and butter to the dough; mix until combined and dough consistency is achieved.

Knead the dough using a bread dough hook until smooth.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour until doubled in size.

Punch down the risen dough and divide it; press half into a greased springform pan.

Divide the remaining dough into three pieces and roll into ropes to braid them together.

Place the braided dough back in a warm spot to rise for about 1 hour until doubled.

Brush the top with an egg wash made from 1 egg and a few tablespoons of water.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 1 hour until golden brown.

Cool before removing from the springform pan and slicing.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens