Paska Bread

...or as my phone will autocorrect to "Plasma Bread"

Paska bread is a Slovak Easter tradition.  This recipe started as my Great Aunt's, and has been handed down.  With no further ado, I pass this Easter tradition along to you!

Ingredients:

    ¾ cup milk

    2 TBS butter

    1 package (2 ¼ tsp) yeast

    2 TBS warm water

    1 egg + 1 egg white, beaten

    3+ cups flour

    ½ TBS salt

    ¼ cup sugar

    ½ cup raisins

    1 egg yolk, beaten with a small amount of water

Heat milk and butter together until butter is melted.  Allow to cool.

Combine yeast with warm water and set aside to rise.

In mixing bowl, combine 2 cups flour, salt and sugar.

Use dough hook and stir together slowly adding milk mixture.

Add eggs, then yeast.  

Gradually add remaining flour as needed until the dough is elastic, but not too wet.  Add raisins. 

Knead dough by hand until smooth.

Place dough in a greased bowl covered loosely with plastic wrap to rise in a warm place* until doubled in size (approx. 2 hours).

Depending on your living situation you may need to leave notes laying around...I didn't trust my hubby not to try and heat up pizza.

Punch dough down and let rise again, (approx. 1 hour).  Punch down again and place on parchment lined cookie sheet.  Shape into a round loaf and let rise for 30-45 min.

Using a sharp knife gently cut a cross in the top of the loaf (go deeper than you think you should).  Brush the top with egg yolk/water mixture.

Bake at 350º for 20-30 min until lightly golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.  Cool, slice, serve.

*If your stove is electric you can place the bowl inside the oven with a lit votive candle set off to the side to produce a warm environment.  

This bread is good the day you make it...but I like it even better the next day, toasted with a little bit of butter.

From my family to yours, Happy Easter!