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Paska Easter Bread Recipe

Paska Easter Bread Recipe

Experience the warmth of tradition with this delightful Paska Easter Bread Recipe. Soft, sweet, and topped with a zesty lemon glaze, this bread is perfect for Easter or any special occasion. Treat your family to a slice of history and create new memories today!
Prep Time 6 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 7 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 3 large paska breads
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: Eastern European
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups warm milk I used whole milk
  • 6 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 Tbsp active dry yeast
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter (1/2 lb or 226 gr), melted (if using salted butter, omit salt)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 9 cups all-purpose Canadian flour divided
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups raisins white or brown
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 Tbsp Lemon juice
  • 3 large Panettone Paper Molds we purchased them on Amazon

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Whisk
  • Baking Sheet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Frying Pan

Method
 

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups + 2 Tbsp warm milk, 6 eggs, 1 Tbsp yeast, 2 cups sugar, 2 sticks melted butter (just warm, not hot!), 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 cup sour cream and 1 tsp vanilla. Whisk in 4 cups flour. Your batter will be thick like sour cream. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place or a warm oven (about 100˚F) for 2 hours.
  2. Add 5 more cups of flour; one cup at a time or until the dough no longer sticks to your hands (it will still feel sticky but won’t stick to your fingers). I find it's easiest to fold flour in with a silicone spatula. Dough should be soft. Stir in 1 to 1 1/2 cups raisins. Cover and let dough rise another 2 hours in a warm oven (100˚F).
  3. Divide dough evenly into the three paper baking molds; try not to mix it or stomp it down too much. Let dough rise uncovered in a warm 100˚F oven for an additional 2 hours or until the molds are almost full.
  4. Remove from the oven and preheat oven to 350˚F. Bake at 350˚F for 30-35 minutes in the middle of the oven until the top is golden brown. Let cool to room temp or just warm and then tear off the wrapper.
  5. Once the Breads are at room temperature and wrappers are off, get your frosting ready. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups powdered sugar with 3 Tbsp Lemon juice. Add a little water if it's too thick or a little more powdered sugar if it's too runny. Pour the glaze over each cooled Easter bread. Traditionally, these are topped with colorful sprinkles before the glaze sets.

Notes

  • Storage: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing: You can freeze the bread after it has cooled completely. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil for up to 3 months.
  • Variations: Try adding different dried fruits or nuts to the dough for extra flavor and texture.
  • Serving: This bread is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet treat any time of the day.
  • Gifting: Wrap a loaf to give as a gift during the holidays or special occasions.