Bread is a very important part of Russian Holidays, particularly religious ones. Kulich is a traditional sweet cake enjoyed in countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Serbia. This tradition was popularized by the Orthodox church as the bread is typically blessed by a priest after service on easter. It is then eaten the following day as a sweet breakfast treat. The bread has a cylindrical shape and is usually served in a basket with lemon icing on top. The dome shape on the top symbolizes the dome of the church and the snow on top from the icing.
Recipe
Ingredients for Kulich:
2 cups + 2 Tbsp warm milk
6 eggs, room temp
1 Tbsp active dry yeast
2 cups sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
9 cups all-purpose flour
1 to 1 1/2 cups raisins (white or brown)
Ingredients for icing:
2 cups powdered sugar
3 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
Ingredients for Kulich:
2 cups + 2 Tbsp warm milk
6 eggs, room temp
1 Tbsp active dry yeast
2 cups sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
9 cups all-purpose flour
1 to 1 1/2 cups raisins (white or brown)
Ingredients for icing:
2 cups powdered sugar
3 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together warm milk, eggs, yeast, sugar, melted butter (just warm, not hot!), salt, sour cream and vanilla.
- Slowly whisk in 4 cups of flour.
- Cover and let it rise in a warm place (like outside!) for 2 hours
- Add 5 additional cups of flour to mixture; do so one cup at a time or until the dough no longer sticks to your hands. Stir in raisins. Cover and let dough rise another 2 hours in the sun.
- Pour dough into baking mold. Let dough rise uncovered in the sun for an additional 2 hours or until the mold is almost full. Preheat oven to 350˚F.
- Bake at 350˚F for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown. Allow the baked bread to reach room temperature.
- To prepare your frosting, combine your powdered sugar with your lemon juice (add some water if it is too thick, or powdered sugar if it’s runny). Pour your glaze over the Kulish and possibly top with sprinkles. Congratulations! You have made Kulish Easter cake.