Two Ukrainian Easter Paska Recipes- Pictures how to decorate

[Olga Drozd]

UKRAINIAN EASTER PASKA

This recipe makes a delicious bread! Makes two 9-inch round loaves 2 envelopes (4 1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeast 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon flour 1/4 cup warm water   12 cups sifted all-purpose flour (I used less) 2 cups milk, warm (100° to 110° F.) 3 large eggs, room temperature 8 large yolks, room temperature 2/3 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 orange 3 tablespoons rum or brandy 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, MELTED, plus more for pans (1 stick) 1/2 cup vegetable or sunflower oil

3 large eggs separated {egg whites for brushing under motifs} - { egg yolks plus 1 Tbsp. water  for brushing tops of paska}

1. In a medium bowl combine yeast, 1 tablespoon flour,  1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/4  warm water (100° to 110°). Mix until smooth. Set bowl aside until mixture is bubbly, 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Add 4 cups flour and milk to yeast mixture. With a wooden spoon, mix until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise at room temperature until double in size, about 30 minutes.

3. In the bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat 3 eggs, 8 egg yolks, and sugar until light and pale yellow, about 5 minutes. Add the mixture from steps 1 and 2. Add salt, vanilla extract, lemon zest, orange zest, rum or brandy, melted butter, and vegetable oil. Whisk on medium speed until combined.

4. Remove whisk attachment from machine, and fit with the dough hook attachment. With mixer on medium-low speed, gradually add enough of the remaining 8 cups flour until dough comes away from side of bowl. Transfer dough to a clean work surface. Knead dough, adding any remaining flour if necessary, until smooth and elastic, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer dough to a large bowl, and cover with a cloth or plastic wrap. Place in a warm spot away from drafts, and let it rise until double in size, 1 to 2 hours.  {I had no dough hook so I used wooden spoon and then my hands, {mix well}

5. Place rack in lower two-thirds of oven, and heat to 350°. Butter two 9-inch saucepans. Cut a piece of waxed paper {parchment paper I prefer} about 2 inches longer than the circumference of the saucepan. Fold this in half lengthwise to make a double thickness. Place inside the saucepan, patting it to adhere to the butter. The collar should extend 3 to 4 inches above the rim of the saucepan. Seal the 2-inch flap with more butter. {Butter waxed paper or parchment too} [I like to cut out circles and put on the bottom off pan, paska comes out easier]

6. When dough has doubled in bulk, punch down, and set aside one-third of dough in a medium bowl covered with plastic wrap for decorations. Divide remaining two-thirds dough evenly between saucepans. Place bowl and saucepans of dough in a warm place to rise for about 30 minutes.

7. After 30 minutes, on a clean work surface, shape reserved dough into desired motifs—solar, crosses, rosettes, birds, braids, scrolls, etc. Keep any dough that is not being used covered with plastic to prevent it from drying out. Brush surface of risen dough in saucepans with 3 lightly beaten egg whites. Attach decorative dough ornaments, using a toothpick if necessary to secure  motifs to loaves. Keep in a warm place to rise until it reaches almost the top of pans, 20 to 30 minutes. {Do secure motifs with toothpicks and leave them on to bake then gently take them out after baking}

8. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining 3 egg yolks and 1 tablespoon water. Brush egg mixture on surface of loaves. Bake for 10 minutes, lower the oven temperature to 325°F, and bake for an additional 50 minutes. Cool paska in pans for 30 minutes. When paska has cooled but is still warm, gently remove from pans, and transfer to a rack to cool.

Note: If you have an instant read thermometer, you can tell more precisely when your loaf is done.  Insert the thermometer into the center of the loaf; the bread is done if the internal temperature is 200°F.  Some breads are done at slightly different temperatures, but the range for most loaves falls within 5 or 10 degrees of 200°F., so it is a good figure to keep in mind.

Some designs showing how to decorate an Easter Paska

[Olga Drozd]

UKRAINIAN EASTER PASKA:

Paska is a round-shaped, traditionally served at Easter. A pretty loaf with its braided top. This recipe makes 1 Paska.

1/2 cup warm water (125 mL)
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 Tablespoon active dry yeast (1/4 oz. package / 8 g)

1 1/2 cups milk (375 mL)
1/3 cup granulated sugar (75 mL)
1/4 cup butter (60 mL)
2 teaspoons salt

2 cups all purpose flour (500 mL)
2 large eggs, fork-beaten

4 1/2 cups all purpose flour, approximately  - divided (1.1L)

GLAZE:

1 large egg
2 teaspoons water

Stir water and 1 teaspoon sugar and ginger, in small bowl until sugar is dissolved.  Sprinkle yeast over top.  Let stand for 10 minutes.  Stir until yeast is dissolved.

Heat and stir the milk, sugar, butter and salt in small heavy saucepan on medium until butter is almost melted.  Pour into extra-large bowl.  Stir until butter is melted.  Let stand for 5 minutes.  Add 2 cups flour, eggs and yeast mixture.  Stir until smooth batter forms.

Work in enough flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until soft sticky dough forms.  Turn out onto well floured surface.  Knead for 5 to 10 minutes, adding flour 1 Tablespoon at a time if necessary to prevent sticking, until smooth and elastic. Throw the dough on the work surface to the count of 20.

Gather the dough and place in a greased extra large bowl, turning once to grease top.  Cover with greased waxed paper and tea towel.  Let stand in oven with pilot light on and door closed for about 1 hour until doubled in bulk.  Punch dough down.  Turn out onto lightly floured surface.  Knead for 1 minutes.  Press about 3/4 of the dough firmly into bottom of greased round 3 quart (3L) casserole.  Divide remaining dough into 4 equal portions.

Roll 2 portions into 36 inch ropes (90 cm).  Twist together.  Place on top of loaf, circling against side of casserole and tucking ends under. 

Remove 1/3 of the dough from BOTH remaining portions.  Set aside.

Roll each 2/3 portion into 36 inch rope, a bit thinner than the first ones.  Twist together.  Place along inside of first braid, tucking ends under.

Roll both remaining 1/3 portions into 18 inch (45 cm) ropes.  Twist middle of ropes together 3 or 4 times.  Place in centre of loaf, curling 4 loose ends inward.

Cover with greased waxed paper and tea towel.  Let stand in oven with light on and door closed for about 20 minutes until slightly risen.  If Paska rises too much, some of the decoration will be lost.  It will continue to rise while baking.

Beat 1 egg with 2 teaspoons water with fork in small bowl until frothy.  Brush top of Paska with egg wash.

Bake in a preheated 350º F. (175ºC) oven for 15 minutes.  REDUCE heat to 325º F. (160ºC).  Bake for about 40 minutes, covering loosely with foil if necessary to prevent over-browning, until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped.   Makes 1 Paska.