Vánočka/Vanocka - Czech Christmas Bread#BreadBakers

Vanocka/Vánočka is traditionally a braided Christmas bread from Czech Republic and Slovakia. This bread which is often baked during Christmas time. This is a rich bread dough prepared with eggs, butter and this bread dough is almost like Brioche dough. Vánocka has loads of raisins and almonds.

I, added 80 grams raisins and while making the strands it was breaking because of too much raisins. First of all chop the raisins and use only 50 grams of raisins in the bread.

Makes 1 Large loaf
Ingredients
11 g Teaspoon Instant Yeast
80 Grams Tablespoon Sugar
500 Grams All Purpose Flour
¼ Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Vanilla extract
Zest Of One Lemon
1 Teaspoon Grated Nutmeg
250 ml+- Lukewarm Milk
100 Grams Butter -melted and lukewarm
2 Large Egg yolks
80 Grams Raisins
50 Grams Sliced Almonds
For Brushing
1 Egg Yolk
1 Tablespoon Water
Method
In a large bowl add flour, salt, sugar, instant yeast, nutmeg and lemon zest.

Then add vanilla extract, egg yolk and add milk mix well so that everything combined well.
If the dough is too crumbly, use two to three tablespoons of milk in addition.
Knead for another 10 minutes to get smooth supple dough.
Transfer to lightly greased pan and set aside for double in volume.

While the dough is raising, heat water in bowl and add raisins and bring to boil.
You need to boil until it plums up. Then drain in a kitchen towel or tissue and set aside.

Once the dough is double in volume 

Transfer to lightly floured surface and flatten the dough

Then add the raisins on the top of the dough like this and try to incorporate them well while kneading.

Cover and let this rest for 15 minutes. 

After that divide the dough into 9 equal parts.

For the bottom braid you will need - 4 dough balls. Braid it as shown in the pic below

For the second braids you will need - 3 dough balls. Braid it like a plait.

For the third braid 2 dough balls. Twist this like a rope.

To Assemble the Vánočka

Place  the four braided  on a oiled and line baking pan. With the edge of hand slightly make a depression in the center of the braid. 

Now let's take the 3 braided dough  and place this on top of the 4 braided dough. Again make depression again in the center with the edge of your hand. Now take the 2 dough balls and place this on top of the 3 braided dough and tuck the ends well.  

Cover and let is rise slightly, this will not double in volume cause it a heavy dough. In the meantime Pre-heat oven to 180°C. 

 Then brush the bread with egg wash and stick them with sliced almonds. 

Bake for 35 - 38 minutes. After 18 minutes tent the bread with aluminum foil ( since this tends to brown quickly and it's a big loaf the top with brown quickly and the inside of the bread will be wet). 

 Let it bake for another 20 minutes. When baked place it on a cooling rack. 

When completely cooled slice and enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee. This is a sweet, soft and delicious bread.

Labels: Christmas, Czechoslovakia, Slovakia, Bread Bakers, International Cuisine, Egg, Raisins, Braided Bread

#BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. You can see all our of lovely bread by following our Pinterest board right here. Links are also updated after each event on the #BreadBakers home page. We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient. If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send Stacy an email with your blog URL to foodlustpeoplelove@gmail.com.
We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient. This month’s theme is Christmas Breads Around .  

• Passion Kneaded: Christopsomo (Greek Christmas Bread) 
• A Messy Kitchen: Joululimppu 
• The Wimpy Vegetarian: Julekake : A Norwegian Christmas Bread 
• Food Lust People Love: Lassy Raisin Bread 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Laufabraud 
• Zesty South Indian Kitchen: Sourdough bobalki (Slovak Christmas eve bread) 
• Sneha's Recipe: Vánočka/Vanocka - Czech Christmas Bread 
• Karen's Kitchen Stories: Venezuelan Christmas Ham Bread - Pan de Jamón

Vegetarian Cornbread Casserole#BreadBakers

Casserole's are so easy to assemble and bake. This Vegetarian Cornbread Casserole takes just 25- 30 minutes of prep before baking in the oven. When it comes out, it smells amazing it’s puffed and golden with the most delicious aroma. Cozy and warming, this is real comfort food! Serve it with Coleslaw and dinner is ready! 

A simple tasty weeknight dinner. Took this casserole for a dinner party and it was a hit!! What I like about this recipe is that this can be baked ahead and reheated.  You can add or sub other veggies (for the corn) to the sauté- diced zucchini, spinach, mushrooms etc. 

Serves 8 - 10
Ingredients
For The Filling
1 Tablespoons Olive oil 

1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Medium Onion - diced
¼ Cup Diced Red Bell Pepper
¼ Cup Diced Yellow Bell Pepper
¼ Cup Diced Green Bell Pepper
4 Cups Fresh Corn - can use frozen
2 Green Chillies - diced
1 Teaspoon Cumin powder
1 Teaspoon Coriander powder
1 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
¾ Teaspoon Salt
2 Tablespoons Chopped Coriander Leaves
For The Batter
½ Cup Cornmeal
½ Cup All Purpose Flour
¾ Teaspoon Salt
2 Teaspoons Sugar
2 Teaspoons Baking powder
2 Large Eggs
1 Cup Sour Cream
¼ Cup Melted Butter - slightly cooled.
1½ Cups Grated Cheeza Cheese

Method
Preheat oven to 180°C.

For The Filling
In a large skillet, sauté onion & chillies in oil & butter over medium low flame until fragrant and light golden. Then add the bell peppers and cook 2 minutes. Add the corn, sauté 3-4 minutes. Now add the spices and salt, sauté for a minute, then  switch off the flame. Add the chopped coriander leaves. Keep this aside.
For The Batter

In a large bowl, add cornmeal, flour, salt, sugar and baking powder, and whisk.
In a another bowl, whisk eggs and sour cream. Gradually whisk in the melted butter.

Combine the sautéed mixture to the dry ingredients along with the egg mixture and mix well. Add half of the grated cheese. Pour the batter into a buttered baking dish ( 8×9, 11 x 7) or you can bake it in a 10-inch cast iron skillet).

Top with the remaining cheese. Batter should not be over 2 inches high.

Bake uncovered, for 25-35 minutes or until puffed and golden (it will dome)! 

Sprinkle with chopped coriander leaves! 

Slice & serve warm.

Labels: Vegetarian, Casserole, Cornmeal, Corn, Bread Bakers, Bread, Quick Bread, International Cuisine, Eggs, Side Dish

                

#BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. You can see all our of lovely bread by following our Pinterest board right here. Links are also updated after each event on the #BreadBakers home page. We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient. If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send Stacy an email with your blog URL to foodlustpeoplelove@gmail.com.
We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient. Thanks to this month’s host Dorothy from Shockingly Delicious.

• Candied Ginger Cornbread (with crystallized ginger) | Shockingly Delicious 
• Corn Meal Batty Cakes | Karen's Kitchen Stories 
• Cornbread Cupcakes | A Day in the Life on the Farm 
• Vegetarian Cornbread Casserole | Sneha's Recipe 
• Easy Cowboy Cornbread Casserole (Vegetarian Dinner) | The Wimpy Vegetarian 
• Mom's Golden Cornbread | Food Lust People Love 
• Corn Free Skillet Corn Bread | A Messy Kitchen 
• Gluten-Free Hush Puppies (Fried and Air Fryer) | Cook with Renu 
• Gluten-Free Sugar-Free Cornbread | Culinary Cam

Single Rise Brioche Dinner Rolls#BreadBakers

Quick dinner rolls recipe will help you make super soft and fluffy dinner rolls in less than two hours. These soft brioche dinner rolls are so deliciously buttery. Richly flavored and golden brown.  This quick dinner rolls recipe is amazing, pillowy soft and cotton light…they are super delicious..

For this quick dinner rolls recipe, we don’t need to proof the dough two times, thus we can save a lot of our time.

Servings 8 Big Ro or 15 small Rolls
Ingredients
325 Grams Bread Flour
50 Grams Salted Butter
1 Large Egg
150Ml Milk
1 Teaspoon Salt
30 Grams Sugar
1¼ Teaspoon Instant Yeast
Method
Prepare The Dough

Add all of the ingredients(milk, sugar, yeast, egg, butter, salt and flour) into a bowl and mix them them together to form a shaggy mass of dough.
Knead the dough until it are very soft. smooth and elastic.

Divide the dough into equal 8 pieces (each weighed 75 grams) and roll them into shape of a round ball. 

Place them in a oiled baking tray. 

Cover it with a plastic film and let them sit and rise in a warm environment until they are double in size.
After the dough balls will be doubled in size. 

Egg wash them m, which will give that shine and golden brown color to the rolls.
Bake at 180°C preheated oven for 18-20 minutes.

If the tops get browned too fast, then tent the top with aluminum foil to prevent this.

When they are baked brush the with butter and place them on a cooling rack to cool.

Enjoy!!
My Notes
These soft brioche dinner rolls can be stored at room temperature in a ziplock bag or airtight container. They will last for 1-2 days. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can also place them in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Labels: Bread, Bread Bakers, Brioche, Egg, Dinner Rolls

                

#BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. You can see all our of lovely bread by following our Pinterest board right here. Links are also updated after each event on the #BreadBakers home page. We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient. If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send Stacy an email with your blog URL to foodlustpeoplelove@gmail.com.

This month's Bread Baker's theme is Brioche Breads.

Final - Bread Bakers - 8 October 2024 - Brioche-style Breads The final link list:

• Almond Cream Brioche Buns from A Messy Kitchen
• Brioche Pull-Apart Loaf from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Classic Brioche à Tête from Food Lust People Love
• Individual Orange Cranberry Brioche from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Single Rise Brioche Dinner Rolls from Sneha's Recipe