Saffron Kulich (Easter bread)
Saffron makes these kulichi incredibly bright and aromatic. The main secret to success is a good mood while cooking; then the baking will be very tasty, tall, and fluffy. From these ingredients, you can prepare 2 kulichi with a width of 17 cm and a height of 11 cm.
- Total cooking time
- not set
- Number of servings
- 2
- Recipe difficulty
- 4 / 5
Ingredients
for 2 servings
- milk 250 ml
- dry yeast 7-11 g
- sugar 150 g
- vanilla sugar 2 tsp
- egg yolks 5
- pinch of saffron threads or 1/3 tsp ground saffron
- butter 200 g
- flour 650-700 g
- raisins 50 g
- nuts 50 g
- candied peel 50 g
- egg white 2
- sugar 100 g
Recipe ingredients for your shopping list
Add all ingredients for the selected number of servings.
Instructions
Step 1 of 20
Saffron threads are used in this recipe, but they can be replaced with ⅓ tsp of ground saffron. This ingredient provides a golden color and unique aroma.
Step 2 of 20
Crush the saffron threads in a mortar.
Step 3 of 20
Pour in 3 tbsp of hot water (ground saffron should also be poured with 3 tbsp of hot water) and leave for 10–15 minutes.
Step 4 of 20
Slightly heat the milk until warm. Stir in the yeast and add 1 tsp of sugar.
Step 5 of 20
Stir in 200 g of flour, mix, cover with a towel, and leave in a warm place.
Step 6 of 20
The sponge should double in size, which will take about 30 minutes.
Step 7 of 20
Cream the egg yolks together with vanilla sugar and sugar.
Step 8 of 20
Add the yolks to the risen starter and mix.
Step 9 of 20
Add the saffron together with water.
Step 10 of 20
Add softened butter and mix.
Step 11 of 20
Stir in 450–500 g of flour and knead the dough. It is important to thoroughly knead the mixture: it should not be too stiff or stick to your hands.
Step 12 of 20
Place the dough back in a warm place for 50–60 minutes until fully risen. To do this, you can place the container with the dough in a bowl of warm water.
Step 13 of 20
The dough should rise well.
Step 14 of 20
Chop the nuts.
Step 15 of 20
Large candied fruits should be cut into small pieces.
Step 16 of 20
Add the candied fruits, nuts and raisins to the dough, then mix thoroughly.
Step 17 of 20
Leave the dough in a warm place once more until it rises.
Step 18 of 20
Grease the baking pan with butter and fill it with dough to ⅓ of the height of the pan.
Step 19 of 20
Let the dough rise in the baking pan, then place it in an oven preheated to 180 degrees. Bake for 35–40 minutes (the time depends on the size of the pan). If the top starts to burn, use foil.
Step 20 of 20
Brush the hot Kulich (Easter bread) with egg white cream and decorate with candied fruits or confectionery sprinkles.
