Description
Traditional Czechoslovakian Christmas Bread. Serve with butter. Some people toast it, use jelly, or even butter and powdered sugar…depending upon local customs and family preference. It is a day-long project, but well worth the effort.
Ingredients
- 1 (0.6 ounce) cake compressed fresh yeast
- ¼ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup butter
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups scalded milk
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 pinch ground ginger
- 1 pinch ground mace
- ¼ teaspoon orange zest
- ½ cup golden raisins
- ½ cup candied mixed fruit peel
- ½ cup blanched slivered almonds
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Make the sponge: Dissolve yeast in warm water.
- Cream sugar and butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl. Add beaten egg and salt. Stir in cooled milk
- then yeast mixture. Sift in flour and beat until smooth. Cover and let rise until doubled in size
- about 1 hour.
- Make the dough: Stir orange zest
- ginger
- and mace into sponge. Add flour and mix until a soft dough forms. Transfer dough to a lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic. Knead in raisins and candied peel. Place dough into a well-oiled bowl and turn once to coat the surface. Cover and let rise until doubled in size
- about 2 hours.
- Divide dough into 10 parts. Roll dough into ropes of desired length (make sure they are equal); let rise for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Generously grease a baking sheet.
- Place 3 ropes dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Starting at the center and working toward each end
- loosely braid ropes; pinch ends together to seal. Twist 2 more ropes together and place on the base of the braid. Repeat this process to form a second loaf with remaining dough.
- Whisk egg yolk and milk together in a small bowl. Brush egg wash over each loaf and sprinkle with almonds. Let rise for about 45 minutes.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer loaves to a wire rack. Cover with a tea towel to make a soft crust; let cool completely.
- Sprinkle cooled loaves with confectioners’ sugar.
Prep Time: 1 hr
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 5 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 30