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The Spruce / Nita West
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
---|---|
159 | Calories |
4g | Fat |
26g | Carbs |
5g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 16 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 159 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 4g | 4% |
Saturated Fat 1g | 3% |
Cholesterol 58mg | 19% |
Sodium 152mg | 7% |
Total Carbohydrate 26g | 9% |
Dietary Fiber 1g | 3% |
Total Sugars 2g | |
Protein 5g | |
Vitamin C 0mg | 0% |
Calcium 14mg | 1% |
Iron 2mg | 9% |
Potassium 56mg | 1% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
This recipe for Ukrainian Christmas bread or kolach is a slightly sweet yeast bread that is braided and shaped into either an oblong loaf, a round braided loaf, or three separate round braids stacked one on top of the other.
In the case of a stacked kolach, a candle is placed in the middle and is an essential part of the Christmas Eve supper (Sviata Vechera). The bread isn't eaten until Christmas Day because it contains eggs and Orthodox Christians fast for Advent, including Christmas Eve.
Kolach is a symbol of good luck, eternity, prosperity, and also is featured at memorial services for the dead.
"The Ukrainian Christmas bread was soft, flavorful, and easy to make. My bread registered 205 F after 35 minutes, so I recommend applying the egg wash after 25 minutes and looking for a final temperature of 190 F to 200 F. I will make the bread again but in the traditional round shape." —Diana Rattray
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Ingredients
For the Yeast:
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1 (.25-ounce) packet active dry yeast, 2 1/4 teaspoons
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1 teaspoon sugar
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1/3 cup lukewarm water
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3 large eggs, at room temperature
For the Dough:
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2 tablespoons sugar
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil
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1 teaspoon fine salt
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1/2 cup lukewarm water
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4 cups (518 grams) all-purpose flour
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1 egg yolk beaten with 1 teaspoon water, for the glaze
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce / Nita West -
Prepare the yeast mixture. In a small bowl, mix together the yeast, sugar and lukewarm water. Let stand 15 minutes or until bubbly.
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Make the dough. In a large bowl or a stand mixer, beat the eggs until thick. Beat in the yeast mixture, sugar, oil, and salt.
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Then add the 1/2 cup lukewarm water and mix until fully incorporated.
The Spruce / Nita West -
Add 2 cups of the flour and mix well. Add remaining 2 cups of flour and knead until dough is smooth and blistered.
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Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover with greased plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until doubled.
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Punch down dough and let rise again until doubled, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Knead by hand a few times and then turn out onto a lightly floured board.
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Divide the dough into three equal pieces and braid. Shape into an oblong loaf and place on a parchment-lined baking pan. Or shape into a circle, joining the ends, and place in a greased 10-inch tube pan.
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Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 30 minutes.
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Heat oven to 350 F. Bake for 25 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer registers 180 F.
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Remove the bread from the oven and brush with 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 teaspoon water. Return the bread to the oven and bake for 5 minutes longer, or until an instant-read thermometer registers 190 to 200 F.
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Remove from oven and turn out of pans to cool completely on a wire rack.
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Enjoy as a lightly sweet dessert with tea or coffee after a meal or with butter for breakfast.
The Spruce / Nita West
Tip
- This recipe will make either 1 braided oblong loaf or 1 braided round loaf. To make three round braided loaves that are stacked on top of each other, triple the recipe. The three loaves should be baked in 3 tube pans of decreasing size, 12-inch, 10-inch, and 8-inch would be perfect.
- For faster rising, place the dough in the oven with the light on or choose the proving function if your oven has that option.
How to Use Stale Ukrainian Kolach
There are many ways to use leftover stale bread. Here are a few great ideas:
- Make croutons for salads or casseroles.
- Make a panzanella salad with cubed leftover bread.
- Make breadcrumbs—pulse the bread in the food processor and freeze the crumbs to use in casseroles, meatloaf or meatballs, as a filler for crab cakes, or a coating for meat, fish, or chicken.
- Sauté lightly seasoned breadcrumbs in butter or olive oil until crisp and sprinkle them over pasta or steamed vegetables.
- Make French toast or a delicious bread pudding.
How to Store Ukrainian Christmas Bread
- Store the completely cooled bread in a large airtight plastic bag at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freeze the bread for longer storage. Wrap the loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap and foil, label with the name and date, and freeze the bread for up to 6 months. Defrost the bread on the countertop.
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