Catholic Recipe: Babka Osterbrot (Easter Bread)

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 packages active dry, or cake, yeast
  • 2 cups scalded milk, lukewarm
  • 8 cups sifted all-purpose flour, divided
  • 5 egg yolks beaten
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 1 cup currants
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Details

Yield: 2 loaves

Prep Time: 3 hours

Difficulty:  ★★★☆

Cost:  ★★★☆

For Ages: 15+

Origin: Ukraine, Russia, Central Europe

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DIRECTIONS

Dissolve yeast in lukewarm milk. Add 3 cups flour, mixing thoroughly. Let rise until double (overnight).

In morning: Add egg yolks, sugar, butter, currants, vanilla, salt, enough remaining flour to make a light dough. Reserve to rise in warm place until double.

Turn out on floured board; knead well, using more flour if necessary to make medium dough. Place in 2 large, greased loaf pans. Let rise to double bulk once more. Bake 10 minutes at 400°. Bake 50 minutes more at 350°.

Yield, 2 loaves

Recipe Source: Catholic Cookbook, The by William I. Kaufman, The Citadel Press, New York, 1965