Vanoca Czech Christmas Bread
In this delightful recipe, soft and sweet almond and sultana bread is skillfully braided into a beautiful, plaited loaf that will impress anyone at the table. The comforting scent of freshly baked bread fills the kitchen as the dough rises and bakes to golden perfection. With a touch of vanilla essence and a dusting of icing sugar to finish, this homemade treat is perfect for sharing with loved ones on any occasion.
— Constant Cookbook
Ingredients
- WET MIX
- 110g unsalted butter, melted
- 100g caster sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 large whole egg
- 200ml whole milk
- 1 sachet yeast
- vanilla essence
- DRY MIX
- 500g strong bread flour
- Lemon peel from 1 unwaxed lemon
- 50g sultanas
- 50g chopped, blanched almonds
- Nutmeg
- Salt
- DECORATION
- 1 egg, beaten
- 50g chopped, blanched almonds
- Vanilla icing sugar for dusting.
Instructions
- Beat the eggs and mix together with the milk and sugar.
- Add in the melted butter and mix in the yeast.
- Weigh out and mix the dry ingredients together.
- Add to the bread machine and choose the "dough" setting.
- Once the dough is made, turn out onto a floured surface, and divide into 8 equal portions (16 if making two small loaves). Roll each portion into a "rope" about 18cm long.
- Take the first 4 of the ropes, and create a plait.
- Next take 3 ropes and make a plait.
- Finally divide the last rope in half and roll into two thinner ropes and twist together.
- Place the three plait on the four plait on a baking sheet and then the two rope twist on top, folding this under the other two.
- Cover completely with beaten egg, the sprinkle over the chopped almonds, and recover again with beaten egg.
- Place in a pre-heated oven at 190C / fan 170C / gas 6 for 20 mins until the bread begins to brown.
- Then turn the heat down to 160C / fan 140 / gas 3 until cooked. Test by tapping the base of the loaf which should sound hollow.
- Allow to cool, and before serving sprinkle with vanilla icing sugar.
Yield
Makes 1 loave
Comments
No comments found.