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
• Culinary Cam: Kouglof, Alsatian Brioche 
• 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

Milk Cream#SundayFunday

A dainty, delicate, taste so good, looks elegant , melt in mouth and is irresistible milk sweet. Milk cream is a must Christmas sweet in every East Indian household. Loved by all - children as well as adults. Its a sweet made with milk, the process is tedious and requires lots of patience but the end product is really worth the effort taken. Again this is another sweet which has no eggs, a complete vegetarian, eggless and gluten free.

Ingredients
A Liter Of Milk - (I used Full Fat milk)
400 Grams Tea Sugar
2 Tablespoons Cashew nut powder
1 Tablespoon Rose water
1 Tablespoon Ghee

Method

In a heavy bottomed base kadai or pan boil the milk and stir continuously till it reduces half of its quantity on a very low flame stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, taking care it doesn't stick to the bottom. 

Add the sugar, continue stirring till the sugar melts and again reduces , half of its quantity.

Now add the cashew powder and keep stirring it continuously, till it thickens, add ghee, continue stirring.

Once it starts leaving the sides take a teaspoon full and check if you can roll it into a soft ball if its rolled easily, the mixture is now ready or when touched does not stick to your hand.

Transfer to the greased plate and before it cools completely.

Form small balls and press into silicon moulds - shapes of your choice.

Take them out of the mold.

Store in a container, 4 to 5 days at room temperature and then refrigerate (not in the freezer).

My Notes

Stir this continuously on very low flame, to achieve a beautiful white color. Do not add too much of cashew powder if you want it white and creamy.

Labels: Christmas, Gluten free, Cashewnuts, East Indian, Festival Sweets, Milk, Sunday Funday, Indian, Eggless, Candy

• Chocolate Brigadeiros by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Chocolate Medallions by Mayuri's Jakoni
• Dark Chocolate Miso Rocky Road by Food Lust People Love
• Honeycomb Candy by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Honeycomb Candy by;A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Milk Cream by;Sneha's Recipe
• Snowberry Torrone by Culinary Cam  

Chocolate Fudge Sauce Star Bread#BreadBakers

Made from homemade chocolate fudge sauce this star bread is simple & super delicious . Layers of fluffy dough separated and twisted so gorgeous and a perfect breakfast bread for Christmas or Easter or any other day you want to enjoy something chocolaty. This bread is super simple to make even though it looks intense. This is a rich dough, it will take a little extra time to rise.

Ingredients
For the Dough
1 Large Egg
57 Grams Butter
150 Ml Milk
3 Tablespoons Sugar
½ Teaspoon Salt
310 Grams All Purpose Flour -
10 Grams Corn flour
1½ Teaspoons Instant Yeast
For The Homemade Chocolate Fudge Sauce
26 Grams Butter - cut into cubes
1½ Tablespoons Light Corn Syrup
90 to 100 Grams Unsweetened Dark Chocolate - chopped
1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
1/3 Cup White Sugar
1 Cup Heavy Cream
A Pinch Salt
1 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract

Method
First Let's Make the Chocolate Fudge Sauce
Melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan and swirl it around in the pan to the coat sides. Add corn syrup and chocolate and stir until chocolate melts. Add sugars, cream, salt and continue to cook over medium flame till the mixture comes to a boil.
Using a candy thermometer, boil gently for 4 minutes, without stirring, until the sauce is thickened and the candy thermometer reaches 220-224º. Remove from heat. Pour sauce into a Pyrex measuring cup. Whisk in vanilla. Cool to room temperature on the counter, then chill till it reaches a spreadable consistency.
For The Dough

Heat the milk and butter till warm, add the sugar stir till it melts. To this add the yeast and egg, cover and keep aside till the yeast froths.
In a large bowl add all the flour and salt, mix it well. Then slowly add the milk mixture and with a dough whisk start kneading the dough adding little milk at a time to make a soft smooth dough. 

Place the dough into a oiled bowl, cover and let is rise till double in volume. Then take the dough and on a lightly floured surface, knead it well. Then roll out dough and cut into four even sized balls. Cover the ball with a wrap, let rest 10-15 minutes.

To Assemble
Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces.

Roll each dough ball out into a thin 10" circle. To get the same diameter circle take a plate and cut each circle accordingly.

Roll out the remaining circles and cover them with a damp cloth as you are working.

Place the first circle on a tray line with parchment paper or silicone mat.

Top with chocolate fudge sauce then layer the other three circles and filling on top.( leaving the top circle bare).

Put a 2 or 3 inch bowl in the center

Then using a pizza cutter or knife, cut the circle stack creating into 4 equal strips

Each strip then cut into another 4 strips.

Like that we should have 16 equal strips that are still connected in the center.

Using both hands pick up two strips and twist them from each other two or three times then press the ends together firmly.
Repeat that until you end up with eight of twisted strips.
Transfer the star bread to a baking tray and cover with plastic wrap and let it rest 15 min. Preheat the oven 190°C.

Brush the star bread with beaten egg and pour a little bit granulated sugar on top.

Bake for about 20-30 min until golden brown.

Remove from the oven and cool for about 10 minutes. Dust with confectioners sugar on top(optional).

So Chocolaty... yum...mmm . Serve warm. Enjoy!!

Labels: Bread Bakers, Chocolate, Fudge Sauce, Christmas, Egg, International Cuisine, Homemade, Sauce

#BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. Follow our Pinterest board right here. Links are also updated each month on this home page.

We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient.

• Chocolate Chip Breadsticks from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Chocolate Chocolate Chip Mini Loaves from Food Lust People Love 
• Chocolate Crepes from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Chocolate Fudge Sauce Star Bread from Sneha's Recipe
• Chocolate Protein Oat Banana Waffles from Cook with Renu
• Chocolate Swirl Buns from Passion Kneaded
• Double Chocolate Chip Bread from Palatable Pastime
• Lemon and Ginger Scented White Chocolate Sourdough from A Messy Kitchen
• Milk and Chocolate Rolls from Magical Ingredients
• Triple Chocolate Sourdough Bread from Zesty South Indian Kitchen