Paska

For Easter, I usually bake loaves of paska, a Polish lemon and orange infused sweet bread. This year I made them into braided buns because they are easier to give away in roll form.

 

 

I've baked a lot of them over the years and give most to friends and family.

They are such a wonderful breakfast bread and when they aren't drizzled with icing, they make exceptional toast.

The citrus flavor improves as they age.  They do get stale quickly so I freeze my leftovers.
 

I made the dough a day ahead and let it rise overnight.

It gets very nice and fluffy.

I braided the dough and formed it into rolls.

The recipe makes about 2 dozen depending on how big you make them.

 The Recipe:

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 small lemon, zest and juice
• 1 small orange, zest and juice
• 4 eggs, well beaten
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons instant yeast
• 7-7 1/2 cups flour , approximately

1. Scald milk and butter in microwave for about 2 minutes. Stir to melt butter.
2. Grate rind of lemon and orange. Then squeeze juice of each.
3. Combine milk, butter, lemon and orange in a large bowl.  
4. Add beaten eggs, sugar and salt.  Mix well. 
5. Combine instant yeast with 4 cups flour and add to liquids.  Beat until smooth.
6. Continue adding flour, one cup at a time until the dough no longer sticky, but still quite soft.
7. Knead for several minutes.
8. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size.
9. Form small balls (the size of dinner rolls) and place on well greased pans.
10. Allow to rise once more until doubled in size about 1 1/2 hours. 
11. Bake at 325°F for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. 
12. Remove to wire racks to cool.
13. Drizzle with an icing made with milk, vanilla and confectioners sugar.