Best 2 Czech Christmas Bread Recipes
Christmas in the Czech Republic is a time for family, friends, and festive foods. One of the most popular Christmas dishes is vánočka, a sweet, braided bread that is often decorated with nuts, dried fruit, and spices. Vanočka is traditionally served on Christmas Eve, and its unique flavor and aroma are sure to fill your home with holiday cheer. If you're looking for a delicious and authentic Czech Christmas bread recipe, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll share our favorite vánočka recipe, along with some tips for making it perfect.
Let's cook with our recipes!
CZECH CHRISTMAS BREAD
My grandmother and aunt used to bake these lovely, traditional loaves every Christmas. I like my sliced toasted and buttered for breakfast.
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 1h10m
Yield 2 loaves.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, milk, butter, eggs, lemon zest, salt, mace and 3 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes or until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky). , Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead in raisins. Divide dough into six equal portions. Shape each into a 20-in. rope. Place three ropes on a greased baking sheet; braid. Pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Repeat with remaining ropes. , Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. Beat egg yolk and water; brush over loaves. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.
Nutrition Facts :
VANOCKA - VáNOèKA - CZECH CHRISTMAS BREAD
The vanocka is part of the Christmas holidays in Czechoslovakia, whether made at home or bought in a store. At one time in history, vánoèka could only be made by a baker who was a guild craftsman. Preparing a vanocka isn't simple and therefore a variety of customs were once followed in preparing, braiding and baking the dough to ensure success. The woman of the house had to mix the dough while wearing a white apron and kerchief, she shouldn't talk, and she was supposed to jump up and down while the dough was rising. Another old custom was to bake in a coin (much like a King cake). The person who found it in their slice was assured of health and wealth for all of the following year. A burnt or ripped vanocka was a bad omen. Preparation time approximate.
Provided by Molly53
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 2h40m
Yield 1 loaf
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Soften yeast in warm water.
- In a mixer bowl, beat together sugar, margarine, and salt.
- Add eggs and beat well.
- Beat in 1 cup of flour.
- Beat in milk, lemon peel, mace, and yeast mixture.
- Stir in as much remaining flour as you can with a spoon.
- Stir in raisins and nuts.
- Turn out onto floured surface.
- Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (3-5 minutes total).
- Place in a lightly greased bowl; turn once to grease surface.
- Cover, let rise in warm place till double; divide in half.
- Divide one portion of the dough into fourths for the bottom braid.
- Cover and let rest 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, divide the remaining dough into 5 portions for the other two layers of the dough.
- Cover those portions and set aside.
- On a lightly floured surface, form each of the first 4 portions into 16-inch long ropes.
- On a greased baking sheet, arrange the 4 ropes, 1 inch apart.
- Beginning in the middle of the ropes, braid together toward each end.
- To braid 4 ropes, overlap the center 2 ropes to form an X.
- Take the outside left rope and cross over the closest middle rope.
- Then, take the outside right rope and cross under the closest middle rope.
- Repeat braiding until you reach the end.
- Pinch ends together; tuck under.
- Turn baking sheet and braid on opposite end.
- Gently pull width of braid out slightly.
- Form remaining 5 portions into 16-inch long ropes.
- Braid 3 of the ropes together.
- Brush the 4-strand braid with water and center the second braid on top; gently pull width of top braid out.
- Twist the remaining two ropes of dough together.
- Brush the top braid with water; place the twist on top of the second braid.
- Cover the shaped dough and let rise till nearly double.
- While loaves are rising, preheat oven to 350°F.
- Brush surface of the shaped dough with egg yolk.
- Bake in oven for 35-40 minutes.
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your bread.
- Activate the yeast properly. This is essential for the bread to rise properly. Follow the instructions on the package of yeast you are using.
- Knead the dough well. This will help to develop the gluten in the flour, which will give the bread a chewy texture.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place. This will help the yeast to grow and produce gas, which will cause the bread to rise.
- Bake the bread in a preheated oven. This will help to ensure that the bread bakes evenly.
- Let the bread cool completely before slicing it. This will help to prevent the bread from crumbling.
Conclusion:
Czech Christmas bread is a delicious and festive bread that is perfect for the holiday season. With its soft, chewy texture and sweet, nutty flavor, this bread is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So gather your ingredients and get baking!
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