Eternal Elegance: Ukrainian Christmas Kolach Recipe
Ukrainian Christmas Kolach Recipe 🍞
Description:
Ukrainian Christmas Kolach, a traditional Eastern European bread, is a delightful centerpiece for any festive occasion. The top is glazed and sprinkled with poppy seeds, adding both flavor and visual appeal. Its round shape, reminiscent of a circle (kolo in Ukrainian), symbolizes eternity, making it a perfect addition to holiday celebrations.
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Recipe Category: Breads
- Keywords: European, Healthy, Christmas, Weeknight, < 4 Hours
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 1570.3
- Fat Content: 26.1g
- Saturated Fat Content: 7.4g
- Cholesterol Content: 234.3mg
- Sodium Content: 2487.1mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 279.5g
- Fiber Content: 10.6g
- Sugar Content: 16.1g
- Protein Content: 48.9g
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sugar |
| 1 | Water |
| 2 | Dry yeast |
| 3 | Sugar |
| 2 | Milk |
| 2 | Eggs |
| 1 | Salt |
| 2-4 | Butter |
| 8-9 | Flour |
| 1 | Egg |
| 1 | Water |
| 2 | Poppy seeds |
Instructions:
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Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon of sugar in water and sprinkle yeast over it. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar, stir, and let it stand for 10 minutes until foamy.
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Prepare Dough: Combine activated yeast mixture with milk, lightly beaten eggs, salt, 2 tablespoons of sugar, butter, and 3 cups of sifted flour. Beat until smooth.
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First Rise: Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it’s light and bubbly.
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Knead: Mix in the remaining flour and knead until the dough is smooth, elastic, and no longer sticks to the bowl.
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Second Rise: Form the dough into a ball, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to oil the top. Cover with a towel and let it rise in a warm place until double in size.
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Divide and Shape: Punch down the dough and allow it to rise slightly again. Divide the dough into 3 parts. On a floured work surface, divide each part into thirds, rolling each into a rope 8 to 10 inches long and 1 1/2 inch thick. Braid together, starting at the middle, and turn the ends under. Repeat to make the other two loaves.
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Final Rise: Place the braided loaves on buttered baking sheets, ensuring they’re not too close together as they will double in size. Cover with a damp towel and let them rise until almost double.
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Glaze and Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the risen loaves with egg glaze and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake for at least 1 hour or until golden brown. Test by tapping the bottom of the loaves; they should produce a nice hollow sound.
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Cool and Serve: Once baked, cool the kolaches on racks. This recipe yields 3 medium loaves, perfect for sharing and enjoying with loved ones.
