Ukrainian Easter Paska
1/2 cup warm water
1 1/2 tablespoons yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
Combine until yeast is dissolved, 10 minutes.
6 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup oil
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups scalded milk (cool to lukewarm)
10-11 cups flour
Combine the softened yeast with beaten eggs, add sugar, butter, oil,
salt, and milk. Mix in the flour and knead until smooth and elastic.
Cover, let rise in a warm place until double in bulk.
Punch down and let rise again.
Take dough, make a round base 1 inch thick, and cover the bottom of
a round 9 inch greased pan.
Take 2 equal-sized pieces of dough, roll each to 36 inches in
length. Place side by side and starting from center, entwine each
other, do the other half in the same manner. Place the entwined
length on the base, in a circle along the edge of the pan.
Roll 4 equal pieces of dough each to 10 inches lengths, entwine 2
lengths on the base to cross each other at the center, curl each
end. Let rise to almost double in bulk.
Be careful not to let the paska rise too long, as the ornaments will
lose their definition. Brush lightly with beaten egg.
Bake 400 degrees F for 15 minutes then lower temperature to 350
degrees and bake 45 minutes or until done. If Paska gets to brown
cover with foil. Remove the loaves from the pans and allow them to
cool.
Makes 3 or 4 Paska |