Kalach (Hungarian Easter Bread) - #BreadBakers

How was your Easter weekend? I have to say that apart from being under curfew from 3 pm each day, it wasn't that different for me. My family doesn't have a lot of Easter traditions. We eat the traditional fried fish plus Easter bun and cheese but overall, things are usually quiet and simple. That's pretty much how it was Friday through Monday. Quiet.

This year my Easter table also had this loaf from Hungary. The kalac or kalach is a celebratory bread in Hungary and comes in various shapes and even with fillings. I chose this braided version because I love braided breads even though I am really not that good at braiding them. Work in progress! It is not as rich as a challah but has a similar texture. Maybe next time I'll try one with a filling.


Scroll down to see how the other Bread Bakers celebrated Easter! Thanks for hosting Camilla!

Kalach - Hungarian Easter Bread 

Ingredients 

500 g flour
2 teaspoons instant yeast
60g sugar
2 teaspoons salt
240 ml milk
1 egg
1 yolk (reserve the white)
3 1/2 tablespoons oil or melted butter

Directions

Whisk the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add the milk, egg, and yolk. Knead until it just starts to form a ball. Next, add the oil or melted butter in small amounts until it is all incorporated. The dough should not be sticky.
Refrigerate overnight or allow to rise at room temperature until doubled.
Divide the risen dough into 6 equal pieces and roll each piece into a 16 inch snake.
Braid the strands as shown in this video.
Add a splash of water to the egg white. Mix together and brush the loaf.
Allow the dough to rise 30-40 mins until puffy.
Before the dough has completely risen, preheat the oven to 350 F.
When the loaf is ready, brush the dough another time with the egg wash.

Bake 40 minutes.

Notes
Adapted from Zserbo


#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 Bread Bakers home page.

We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient. This month Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camilla has selected Easter breads from around the world as our theme.

She wrote: "We're posting after the actual holiday. I know. However, as everyone is home, sheltered-in-place to help flatten the coronavirus curve, maybe people are delaying Easter celebrations with friends and family. I know I am!"

If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send an email with your blog URL to Stacy at foodlustpeoplelove@gmail.com.

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• Russian Kulich - Easter Bread by Food Lust People Love
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