Best Hungarian Easter Bread Recipes

KALACS (HUNGARIAN CINNAMON SWIRL BREAD)

Steps:

• Place flour, white sugar, salt, and yeast into the bowl of a stand mixer. In a bowl, whisk together egg, melted butter, warm milk, and vanilla extract; pour into the flour mixture. Using dough hook attachment, mix on low until the flour is moistened and a dough forms, then increase speed to medium, and continue kneading until smooth and elastic, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Place dough into a greased bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch down dough, turn out onto a floured work surface, and divide into 2 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 1/3 inch thick rectangle. Brush each square with melted butter. Mix together cinnamon and brown sugar in a small bowl, then sprinkle evenly over the two rectangles.
• Roll each firmly into a log, pinch the ends closed, and tuck them underneath. Place each into a greased, glass loaf pan. Cover, and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Brush the tops of the loaves with melted butter, then bake in preheated oven until loaves are golden brown, and sound hollow when tapped, about 30 minutes.

KALACS (HUNGARIAN SWEET BREAD)

Steps:

• Make a sponge dough from the 1 cup warm milk, 2 teaspoons dry yeast, 1 cup flour and 1 teaspoon sugar.
• Work together with hands and let rise.
• Mix in other ingredients and work until dough separates from hands and board.
• Let dough rise again until double its size.
• Place in two greased pans; brush top with beaten egg.
• Place in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• After removing from oven, cover with damp towel and dry towel until cool. This will make a soft crust.
• Makes 2 pans.