Paska Easter Bread (Video)

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk (lukewarm)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons yeast
• 4 1/2 cups flour
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup salted butter (melted)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup macadamia nuts (chopped)
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1 1/2 cups icing sugar
• 1 egg white
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

1. 1

   Dissolve the yeast into the lukewarm milk. The milk shouldn’t be hot. Mix in 1 tablespoon of sugar with 1 cup of flour. Cover and place in a warm place until it starts to bubble and activates. (about 15 minutes)

2. 2

   In a separate bowl, beat eggs until they are fluffy. Add the remaining sugar, melted butter, sour cream and vanilla. Beat until well combined.

3. 3

   Add the yeast mixture into the beaten eggs and add the remaining flour. Mix with a thick wooden spoon and use a dough hook on a mixer. You can also knead with your hands, but it’s very sticky. You can add more flour, but it will be a denser Paska.

4. 4

   Cover and place in a warm spot until it rises, about 1 ½ - 2 hours.

5. 5

   Punch down the dough, and mix in chocolate chips, cranberries and macadamia nuts.

6. 6

   Grease the cans, silicone cylinder or molds with cooking spray. Fill the baking cylinder about halfway with the dough, but no higher than ⅔’s full. Cover with a towel, place in a warm place until the Paska rises near the top of the cylinder. Takes about 30-60 minutes.

7. 7

   Place into a 350°F (180°C) preheated oven on the lower rack. Bake for 30-50 minutes, depending on the size of your container. Smaller containers bake faster, a single large Paska will take about 50 minutes.

8. 8

   Allow to cool on a baking rack to room temperature before adding icing.

9. 9

   --- Egg White Glaze ---

10. 10

    Beat an egg white until thick, stiff peaks form. Then while beating, slowly add in the icing sugar and vanilla until mixed and smooth. Pour the glaze over the Paska and sprinkle with colorful candy sprinkles.