Korovai bread is a traditional Ukrainian celebratory bread that holds great significance in wedding ceremonies and other special occasions.
Korovai Bread
Traditional Ukrainian Ceremonial Wedding Bread
Ingredients
Ingredients for Korovai
- 5 cups Flour
- 1 cup Sugar
- 9 oz Lukewarm milk
- 2 tsp Instant yeast (1 packet)
- 5 tbsp Soft butter
- 2 large Eggs plus 1 egg for egg wash
- 2 tsp Salt
- Zest of a lemon
- 2 tsp Vanilla
Decorations for Korovai
- 1 cup Flour
- 2 tsp Corn starch
- 1 tbsp Shortening (Crisco)
- 1/2 cup Water
- Mustard seeds for bird’s eyes
- 1 Egg white for egg washing decorations
Instructions
Instructions for Korovai Dough:
- In the milk add 1 tsp sugar and yeast. Stir and wait a few minutes to see if it bubbles. That means the yeast is alive and active.
- In a standup mixer with hook attachment add all ingredients except the butter. Start missing slowly until a dough forms. Now add the butter one tablespoon at a time. Let the dough mix for at least 5 minutes.
- Grease a bowl using butter, place dough in it and covered with plastic wrap. Store in a draft free and warm area. I just place it in my microwave. Let it rise until doubled.
- Move dough to work surface, cut in 3 pieces.
- One large for the large braid. One smaller for second braid and one piece to create a ball to place in the middle.
- Grease a 9 inch springform pan. With the large piece cut in 3 and roll into 3 logs to make a braid.
- Place the large braid around perimeter. Second braid on top slightly more towards the center.
- Now last piece of dough make a ball and place in the middle. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise.
- Once it’s doubled in size egg wash top using a pastry brush. Bake at 365°F for about 40 minutes. Please check on it constantly because it tends to burn quickly.
Decorations:
- In a bowl mix flour, shortening and corn starch. Mix using your finger tips. Slowly add the water to create a dough. If necessary add more water.
- Mix until soft and pliable.
- Create different decorative pieces. Egg wash and bake at 375°F for about 15 minutes.
- Immediately after removing from oven stick a toothpick on the bottom of decorations, it will make for easy application on the Korovai.
- Happy Baking and blessing to the married couple!
Video
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