More Paska

As usual, when I do something I like, I get caught up in it.  As you can see, I am really having fun baking Paska.  Since the ones I made with crosses exploded, I tried a different design and I like this recipe much better.  Here are the ingredients:

1 C. milk
1 T. sugar
1 tsp. yeast
2 1/4 t. rapid rise yeast
 1/2 C. butter, melted
 5 large eggs (+ 1 yolk for the egg wash)
3/4 C. sugar
1 T. vanilla extract
  1/2 t. ground cardamom
zest from 1 orange
6 C. all purpose flour + 1/2 C. for kneading

Heat the milk until warm. Add the 1 T. sugar and the yeast and sit it aside for a few minutes.

Add the milk to your mixer then add the eggs and the yeast. Add the melted butter.

Add the cardamom.

Add the zest, vanilla and the rest of the sugar and beat until blended.  Gradually add the flour until you have a smooth slightly sticky dough.

Turn it into a buttered bowl, cover with plastic and put it in a warm place to proof for 3-4 hours.

Punch it down and turn it out onto your counter top.

Divide it into three pieces.

Divide each piece into three equal pieces and roll the 3 pieces into long ropes.

Braid the ropes together.

Tuck the ends under the rope.

Wind the braid around in a circle.

Repeat with the other two main pieces.  Place on a parchment covered cookie sheet.

Cover with plastic wrap and let rise about 1 hour.

Poofy after the rise!

Beat 1 egg yoke with a scant teaspoon of water.

Brush each loaf with the egg yolk.  Bake them in a 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes until golden with an internal temp of 190 degrees.

Remove from the oven and cool on a rack.

Pretty, no?

These are flaky and buttery and yeasty.

And right now I have a new recipe of them rising!