Best Bohemian Honey Walnut Christmas Bread Recipes

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CZECH CHRISTMAS HOSKA



Czech Christmas Hoska image

Traditional Czechoslovakian Christmas Bread. Serve with butter. Some people toast it, use jelly, or even butter and powdered sugar...depending upon local customs and family preference. It is a day-long project, but well worth the effort.

Provided by Carol Ponec-Nemec

Categories     Bread     Yeast Bread Recipes

Time 5h30m

Yield 30

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 (0.6 ounce) cake compressed fresh yeast
¼ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
½ cup white sugar
½ cup butter
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups scalded milk
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 pinch ground ginger
1 pinch ground mace
¼ teaspoon orange zest
½ cup golden raisins
½ cup candied mixed fruit peel
½ cup blanched slivered almonds
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Dissolve yeast in warm water.
  • In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter. Add beaten egg and salt. Stir in cooled milk and then the yeast. Add 1 1/2 cups sifted flour; beat into a smooth batter. Cover and let rise until light, about one hour.
  • Stir spices and dried orange zest into the sponge. Add 4 1/2 cups of flour to make a soft dough. Place on a lightly floured board, and knead until smooth and elastic. Knead in raisins and candied peel. Put in a well oiled bowl, and turn once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover. Set aside to rise until double in bulk, about 2 hours.
  • Divide dough into ten parts, roll into desired lengths, and let rise about 15 minutes.
  • On a heavily greased baking sheet, make a braid of three parts, beginning in the center and working braid loosely toward each end. Pinch ends together. Twist the remaining two pieces together, and place on the base of the braid. In a small bowl, beat together egg yolk and milk; brush the loaf with this mixture. Sprinkle sliced almonds over the loaf. Repeat process for second loaf. Let rise about 45 minutes.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes. Transfer bread to a wire rack, and cool completely. Cover while cooling with a tea towel to make a soft crust. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 177.3 calories, Carbohydrate 29.4 g, Cholesterol 22.3 mg, Fat 4.9 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 110 mg, Sugar 6.2 g

HOUSKA - BOHEMIAN CHRISTMAS BREAD



Houska - Bohemian Christmas Bread image

This is a traditional Bohemian Christmas Bread. It's along the same lines of the German Christmas Stollen. Houska is pronounced - "ho-ska". I prefer this over the German Version because I don't like the taste of the traditional dried, candied Christmas fruit.

Provided by Lori Borgmann

Categories     Other Breads

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 1/2 c whole milk - scalded
1/3 c butter
1/2 c almonds - chopped
1/4 c dark rasins
1/4 c golden raisins
5 1/2 - 6 c flour
1 Tbsp yeast (dissolved in 1/2 cup of warm water.)
1/2 c sugar
1 large egg - beaten
1 tsp salt

Steps:

  • 1. Dissolve yeast in water. Combine sugar and butter. When combined add beaten egg and salt. Stir in the scalded milk AFTER IT HAS COOLED and the yeast. Add 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Let rise about 1/2 hour. Add almonds and raisins. Mix well. Add rest of the flour to make a soft dough. Turn on board and knead until smooth. Place in a greased bowl and let rise about 45 minutes. Punch down in bowl and let rise again for 45 minutes. Then put in two greased bread pans. Let rise again for another 45 minutes. Bake 45 minutes at 325 degrees. Brush with beaten egg and 1 Tablespoon of water before baking.
  • 2. This is time consuming so make sure you have plenty of time on your hands! Letting the dough rise multiple times is key to this bread! Once you taste it you will realize that it was well worth the work! A stand mixer works great when making sweet breads!

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