Vanochka ???????? | Czech Christmas Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

250g (8.8oz) strong white bread flour
1 egg yolk
3g (0.1oz) dry yeast or 3x the amount of fresh
4g (0.15oz) salt
1 lemon worth of zest
50g (1.75oz) soft butter
80g (2.8oz) raisins (I used half brown and half golden)
30g (1oz) sugar
120g (4.25oz) cold milk if your kitchen is around 22-25C (71-77F)*
*To learn more about dough temperature control click here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrgXRwkz-3w

1 egg & sliced almonds to top
Icing sugar for dusting

Method:
1. In a bowl combine the milk, salt, yeast, sugar, lemon zest & egg yolk. Mix well to dissolve the sugar and hydrate the yeast.
2. Add the flour and mix to a dough.
3. Knead for 2 minutes, then tear in the butter. Keep kneading for 3 minutes, then add the raisins and knead for another 1-2 minutes.
*Desired dough temperature 25-26C (77-79F).
4. Cover and proof for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
5. Fold.
6. Ferment for another 45 minutes to 1 hour.
7. Divide into 3x110g (3.9oz) & 3x70g (2.5oz) pieces. Preshape into cylinders.
8. Rest for 30 minutes.
9. Roll out all of the dough pieces and make 2 three strand braids. One with the smaller dough and the other with the larger one. Place the smaller one on top of the larger one. *See video!
*Preheat your oven to 160C (320F) fan on!
10. Cover and proof for 1 - 1.5 hours.
11. Brush the loaf with egg, let it dry for 5 minutes then brush again. Sprinkle with the sliced almonds.
12. Bake for around 35 - 40 minutes.
Let it cool down, dust with icing sugar and enjoy!

To learn more about the principles of baking check out my other videos. It is more valuable knowing the how's and why's than knowing a recipe.

Baking Equipment I Use:
Lodge Cast Iron Pot - http://ebay.us/cSk8fy
Bread Baskets - http://ebay.us/gK3FSZ *I generally use the 22cm (9in) size.
Sandwich Loaf Tin - http://ebay.us/gN1mVX
Dough Scrapers - http://ebay.us/V8PfTS
Temperature Probe - http://ebay.us/iNpsE5
Razor Blades - http://ebay.us/DAaNX5
Baker's Lame - http://ebay.us/GY2dh6
Digital Scales - http://ebay.us/N9mzno
Kitchen Aid Mixer - http://ebay.us/pY96JG

Video Equipment I Use:
Canon M50 - http://ebay.us/m7wv0U
GoPro Hero 7 Black - http://ebay.us/cD9wQT
Sony RX100 mk1 - http://ebay.us/cdTXzX
Large Tripod - http://ebay.us/WdBo3k
Small Tripod - http://ebay.us/Ym0H4F
Clamp - http://ebay.us/VXFHq0
Memory Cards - http://ebay.us/vacnty
Small LED Light - http://ebay.us/9YEZhP
Large LED Light - http://ebay.us/H6BxGU
Microphone - http://ebay.us/x1wMPw
Laptop - http://ebay.us/sjWOL8

*Disclosure: I only recommend products I use myself. If you purchase anything through the links listed above I will earn a small commission at NO extra cost to you. I have specifically chosen eBay as it is the most affordable and I personally use it because of that. In short - you may save money while I may earn a little bit.


CREDITS:
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Mistletoe PNG by 'Sinphie' - https://www.deviantart.com/sinphie/art/mistletoe-PNG-575971598
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Santa Hat by '588ku' - https://pngtree.com/so/christmas-hat
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Free Realistic Snow Overlay by 'Kosmos Motion Graphics' - http://youtu.be/vEhD5WwCo44
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Happy Baking!
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Check out my Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/naturally.leavened/
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#FestiveFood #ChristmasBaking #Christmas