Sweet Slovenian Easter Bread

Make Easter special with this beautiful SWEET SLOVENIAN EASTER BREAD. It will make a stunning centerpiece for your holiday table and Easter blessings basket.

(*Makes 2 braided loaves)

RECIPE
1 packet of active dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
½ cup warm milk (125 ml)

Dough Ingredients:
½ cup oil (a neutral oil preferred)
3 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 of cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon rum or vanilla extract 
1 cup warm milk (250 ml)
½ cup unsalted warm melted butter
5-6 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon oil for greasing the dough-ball

* Egg wash before you bake: 1 egg + 1 Tbsp milk whisked. Sesame seeds for sprinkling.

1. To a bowl add active dry yeast, sugar and warm milk. Stir and let it rest for 5-10 minutes to activate the yeast, until it foams. If the yeast does not foam up, stop and redo this step with another package of yeast.
2. once the yeast activates add the oil, eggs, sugar, lemon zest, rum, warm milk with the melted butter. Give it a whisk until well combined 
3.  Using the dough hook attachment on a stand mixer slowly start adding in the flour. Keep adding flour until the dough pulls away from the bowl.  This process will take about 8 minutes 
4. Remove from the bowl and form it into a ball. Please it back into the bowl and rub a little oil all over. Cover the bowl loosely. Place it in a draft free area and allow to rise for about 2 hours until it has doubled in size. * I place mine in the oven (obviously the oven is not turned on) turn the light on inside the oven this helps the process.

5. Once tripled in size, punch down the dough and place it onto the surface you will be working on. Cut it in half and cut those halves into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and then into 3 equal sized ropes. Pinch the tops of the 3 together and begin making a braid. 
6. Once you get to the bottom, pinch it and then fold it underneath. Once both of the loaves are braided place them onto a baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper. Cover them and allow them to rise one last time for about an hour.

7. Brush them with the whisked egg and milk mixture. Sprinkle on the sesame seeds. Bake in a 350F degree oven for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Start checkin on your bread around 30 minutes as every oven is different, 

8. Remove from the oven. Allow the bread to cool completely before decorating it. I like adding some Cadbury Mini Easter eggs on our bread for some fun! * Wrap the breads really well and cover them if you’re planning on using them the next day. It is great for a few days, just toast and enjoy with a cup of coffee! Dober tek!

THANK YOU so much for following along, making my recipes and sharing them with the people you love. If you make this recipe, or ANY of my recipes and love them, please connect with me. Tag me #sloveniankitchen or #slovenska_kuhinja on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest! I love hearing from you!

Made with Love, 

❤️ Michelle XO