PASKA (EASTER BREAD)

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Paska (Easter Bread) image

This is an adopted recipe. Original intro: "This Russian-Mennonite sweet bread is traditionally served at Easter. This is my mother's recipe, which I prefer to all others. We always ate it for breakfast, along with coloured hardboiled Easter eggs." Thanks Zenith/Cornelia

Provided by Pamela

Categories     Yeast Breads

Time 5h30m

Yield 8 loaves (approx.)

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 1/4 teaspoons dry yeast
1 large potato
2 cups flour (or more)
2 1/2 cups warm milk
7 -8 egg yolks
7 -8 egg whites, stiffly beaten
1 1/2-2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 cup margarine or 1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/2-1 teaspoon orange zest
bit vanilla

Steps:

  • Peel and chop potato.
  • Boil until tender.
  • Drain, reserving water.
  • Mash the potato.
  • Soften yeast in 3/4 cup lukewarm potato water (water from cooking the potato) for 10 minutes.
  • Add a bit of flour to make a soft sponge.
  • In the meantime, warm the milk.
  • Pour it over 2 cups flour.
  • Beat until smooth.
  • Allow to cool slightly.
  • Beat egg yolks with 1 cup sugar.
  • Add warm flour mixture.
  • Add stiffly beaten egg whites.
  • Add yeast mixture.
  • Cover and let rise until light.
  • Add softened margarine, salt, remaining sugar and mashed potato (should have at least half cup mashed potato).
  • Add enough flour to make a medium soft dough.
  • (It will be a bit sticky-- if too stickly add flour but be careful not to add too much flour.) Knead 10 minutes.
  • Cover and let rise to double its bulk.
  • Shape into loaves.
  • (You may make braided loaves, round loaves, or oval loaves.) Cover and let rise again.
  • Bake at 325 F until golden.
  • Be careful not to overbake.
  • Make icing (or glaze) with powdered sugar and milk.
  • Ice when bread is completed cooled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 506.3, Fat 18.1, SaturatedFat 5.1, Cholesterol 175.9, Sodium 519.3, Carbohydrate 74.3, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 38.2, Protein 12.5

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