Russian kulich is a sweet yeast-risen bread typically served at Easter. It just wouldn't be Easter Sunday in Russia without a piece of this tall, cylindrical bread that has been blessed by the parish priest.
Another standby for Easter is paskha, a sweet molded cheese dessert that is often spread on a slice of kulich.
Kulich is a cross between a bread and a cake with a slightly sweet crumb. As with most foods, the recipe varies from family to family. But it usually has raisins, nuts, and candied citrus rind. You'll need a 2-pound coffee can or kulich pan to bake it in.
This recipe calls for eight egg yolks and only two egg whites so freeze the leftover egg whites and save them for recipes like meringue torte.
The traditional way to serve is to cut off the crown and slice base into rounds. To keep any leftovers moist, replace the crown.
Ingredients
For the Yeast Sponge:
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2 1/4 teaspoons (1 package) active dry yeast
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1/4 cup warm water
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1/4 cup white sugar
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1/2 cup milk. scalded, cooled to 110 F
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1 cup all-purpose flour
For the Dough:
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4 ounces (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
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1/2 cup white sugar
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8 large egg yolks, room temperature
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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2 teaspoons ground cardamom
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/3 cup golden raisins
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1/4 cup slivered almonds
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1/4 cup candied orange rind, chopped
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2 large egg whites
For the Glaze:
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1 cup confectioners' sugar
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2 teaspoons lemon juice
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1/8 teaspoon almond extract
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2 to 3 teaspoons warm water
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Sprinkles, for topping, optional
Steps to Make It
While there are multiple steps, this Easter bread recipe is broken down into workable categories to help you better plan for baking.
Make the Yeast Sponge
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Gather the ingredients.
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In a large bowl, combine yeast, water, 1/4 cup white sugar, and milk. Mix until the yeast and sugar have dissolved.
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Stir in 1 cup flour until well blended.
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Cover and let stand in a warm place for 1 hour.
Make the Dough
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Gather the ingredients.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine butter, 1/2 cup white sugar, and egg yolks.
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Add yeast-flour mixture, combining thoroughly.
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Add vanilla, cardamom, salt, and enough of the 3 to 3 1/2 cups flour to make a soft dough. Stir in raisins, almonds, and orange rind.
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In a small bowl, beat 2 reserved egg whites until stiff.
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Fold them into the dough. Knead by machine or hand until a smooth and elastic dough forms, about 3 to 5 minutes.
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Place in greased bowl, turning once to coat both sides.
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Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise until doubled.
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Coat a 2-pound coffee can or kulich pan with cooking spray.
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Punch down dough and knead a few times.
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Place it in the prepared pan, cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise until dough reaches the top of the can.
Bake the Kulich
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Heat oven to 400 F. Place pan on a baking sheet and bake 10 minutes.
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Reduce heat to 350 F and bake another 35 to 40 minutes or until a cake tester or long toothpick or thin skewer comes out clean.
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Remove kulich from oven and let cool 10 minutes. Unmold from the can and cool on a wire rack.
Make the Glaze and Serve
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Gather the ingredients.
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While kulich is baking, prepare the glaze in a small bowl by combining the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, almond extract, and enough warm water to make a smooth, runny glaze.
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Pour over the top of the kulich allowing it to run down the sides of the cake.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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326 | Calories |
10g | Fat |
52g | Carbs |
8g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 16 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 326 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 10g | 12% |
Saturated Fat 5g | 23% |
Cholesterol 120mg | 40% |
Sodium 115mg | 5% |
Total Carbohydrate 52g | 19% |
Dietary Fiber 2g | 6% |
Total Sugars 22g | |
Protein 8g | |
Vitamin C 0mg | 1% |
Calcium 42mg | 3% |
Iron 2mg | 13% |
Potassium 136mg | 3% |
*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. |
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