Vánočka
Vánočka: Czech braided Christmas bread with raisins, almonds and lemon
On Czech Christmas Eve morning, before the carp and the potato salad, the table holds a long golden vánočka, a sweet braided loaf whose layered plaits are said to represent the baby Jesus in swaddling. Families slice it for breakfast through the holidays with butter, honey or jam. The crumb is soft and rich with egg and butter, scented with lemon zest and studded with raisins; flaked almonds crisp up on the crust. The usual slip is braiding too loosely, so the tiers slide apart in the oven; plait tightly and hold them with wooden skewers while baking. Soaking raisins in warm water (not rum) keeps them juicy and alcohol-free. Chef's tip: vánočka keeps for days wrapped in a cloth, and slightly stale slices make superb French toast.
- Total time
- 185 min
- Difficulty
- hard
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
For the dough
- ¾ cup whole milklukewarm
- 2 ⅞ oz sugar
- 1 ⅛ lb strong white flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 3 ½ oz soft butter
- 1 unwaxed lemonzest only
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ⅞ oz raisinssoaked in warm water 15 min and drained
To finish
- 1 oz flaked almonds
- 1 tbsp icing sugar (optional)for dusting
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Method
0/10 doneStep 1: Whisk the ¼ oz fast-action dried yeast and 1 tsp of the 2 ⅞ oz sugar into the ¾ cup whole milk and leave for 10 minutes, until foamy.
10 minStep 2: Mix the 1 ⅛ lb strong white flour, remaining sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1 unwaxed lemon zest and 1 tsp vanilla extract in a bowl. Add the yeast mixture, 2 egg yolks and 1 egg and knead for 5 minutes.
6 minStep 3: Knead in the 3 ½ oz soft butter a piece at a time for 8 minutes more, until the dough is smooth, glossy and pulls away from the bowl. Work in the 2 ⅞ oz raisins.
10 minStep 4: Cover and leave in a warm place for 75 minutes, until doubled.
75 minStep 5: Divide the dough into 9 pieces: 4 of 120 g, 3 of 90 g and 2 of 60 g (roughly). Roll each into a rope 40 cm long.
10 minStep 6: Plait the 4 large ropes tightly and lay on a lined tray. Press a groove down the middle, plait the 3 medium ropes and set them on top, then twist the 2 small ropes together and lay them on top.
10 minStep 7: Push 3–4 wooden skewers vertically through the tiers to hold them. Cover and prove for 30 minutes, until puffy. Heat the oven to 350°F (300°F fan).
30 minStep 8: Brush with the 1 egg, beaten and scatter with the 1 oz flaked almonds.
2 minStep 9: Bake for 45–50 minutes, until deep golden and hollow-sounding underneath; cover with foil after 25 minutes if browning fast.
50 minStep 10: Remove the skewers and cool on a rack for at least 1 hour. Dust with 1 tbsp icing sugar before slicing.
60 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 320 kcal
- Protein
- 8 g
- Carbs
- 47 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does vánočka take?
- About 185 minutes in total: 135 minutes to prepare and 50 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of whole milk?
- Semi-skimmed milk with 1 tbsp cream per 240ml (1 cup).
- What can I use instead of fast-action dried yeast?
- Fresh yeast, three times the weight.
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