"Slava" bread or "slavski kolac" is an important part of the religious aspects of "Krsna Slava," or the celebration of a Serbian family's patron saint day. In many homes, the parish priest comes to the home to bless the bread before any festivities can begin.
Makes 1 round loafPrep Time: 1 hours,
Cook Time: 1 hours,
Ingredients:
- 2 packages active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 3 eggs, slightly beaten
- Grated rind and juice of 1 lemon
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 6 to 7 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Preparation:
- Dissolve yeast, sugar and 3 tablespoons flour in 1/2 cup warm water. Set aside.
- In large bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups warm water, salt, butter, eggs, lemon rind and juice, and sugar. Add about 4 cups flour and beat well.
- Add remaining flour gradually, beating well, until dough is stiff. Knead as for bread, about 5 minutes by machine or 10 minutes by hand, and put in a greased bowl to rise.
- When double in size, knead again briefly. Reserving a handful of dough to decorate top, make a round loaf. Put in a well-greased 9-inch round, 3-inch deep pan.
- Decorate the edge of the loaf with a braid and a cross in the center with 4 backward "C"s in each quadrant. Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour, or follow this Quick Tip to cut the rise time.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Brush bread lightly with egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 teaspoon water). Bake for 1 hour or until nicely brown.
- When cool enough to handle, remove from pan and cool on wire rack.
