St. Joseph’s Day Bread Recipe
🕒 Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
🕒 Cook Time: 25 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
🥖 Yield: 2 braided loaves
Description:
St. Joseph’s Day Bread, a cherished tradition, is a delightful Polish treat typically prepared annually to commemorate St. Joseph’s Day on March 19th. This recipe encompasses the essence of celebration, blending wholesome ingredients with meticulous craftsmanship to craft two braided loaves of golden-brown perfection. With a preparation time that includes the nurturing stages of kneading and rising, this bread symbolizes patience and dedication, resulting in a delectable creation to be savored with loved ones.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons shortening
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups + 4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
Instructions:
-
Activate the Yeast:
In a small bowl, combine water, active dry yeast, shortening, sugar, and salt. Allow the mixture to stand for 5 minutes, allowing the yeast to activate and infuse the liquid with its characteristic tangy aroma. -
Prepare the Dough:
In a large mixer bowl, place 2 1/2 cups of flour. Gradually add the liquid yeast mixture to the flour. Beat the ingredients by hand or on low speed with an electric mixer until a homogeneous mixture forms. -
Incorporate Flour:
Stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can mix in with a spoon. The dough should begin to take shape, absorbing the flour to attain the desired consistency. -
Knead the Dough:
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for approximately 6-8 minutes, incorporating additional flour as needed until a moderately stiff, smooth, and elastic dough is formed. -
First Rise:
Shape the dough into a ball and place it into a lightly greased bowl, ensuring all surfaces are coated. Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 40-60 minutes. -
Divide and Rest:
Once doubled in size, punch down the dough and divide it into 6 equal pieces. Cover the pieces and let them rest for 10 minutes, allowing the gluten to relax and the dough to become more pliable. -
Braid the Dough:
Roll each piece of dough by hand into a 12-inch long rope. Take three ropes for each loaf and braid the dough, securing the ends by tucking them underneath to form a neat braid. -
Second Rise:
Place the braids on greased baking sheets. Cover the braids and allow them to rise until nearly doubled in size, approximately 30-45 minutes, as they undergo their final transformation before baking. -
Preheat the Oven:
While the dough rises, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), ensuring it reaches the optimal temperature for baking. -
Egg Wash and Sesame Seeds:
Brush the top and sides of the loaves with beaten egg, imparting a glossy sheen to the finished bread. Sprinkle sesame seeds generously over the loaves, adding a delightful crunch and nutty flavor. -
Bake to Perfection:
Transfer the baking sheets to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the bread tests done and achieves a beautiful golden-brown hue, signifying its readiness to be enjoyed. -
Cool and Serve:
Once baked to perfection, remove the loaves from the baking sheets and allow them to cool on wire racks, filling your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread. Serve slices of St. Joseph’s Day Bread with joy and gratitude, celebrating the traditions and flavors that bring loved ones together.
Celebrate the essence of St. Joseph’s Day with this cherished bread recipe, a testament to heritage, patience, and the joy of communal feasting. Enjoy the process of crafting these braided loaves, each bite a tribute to tradition and togetherness.
