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houska - bohemian christmas bread

(2 ratings)
lborg72 avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Lori Borgmann-Nelson
@lborg72
Fairfield, NE

This is a traditional Bohemian Christmas bread. It's along the same lines as the German Christmas Stollen. Houska is pronounced - "ho-ska." I prefer this over the German version because I don't like the taste of the traditional dried, candied Christmas fruit. This is time-consuming so make sure you have plenty of time on your hands! Letting the dough rise multiple times is key to this bread. Once you taste it you will realize it was well worth the work. A stand mixer works great when making sweet breads.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Every culture has a traditional bread and Houska is the Czech Republic's specialty. We've never tried this type of bread before and loved how light and fluffy it is. Egg and milk give this bread a rich flavor and make it slightly sweet. Raisins are peppered throughout and pops of sweetness. Almonds add another layer of flavor and a slight crunch. In our research, we discovered this is traditionally a braided bread. Since braiding can be tricky., we love that this recipe turns it into loaves making it a bread anyone can make. If there are leftovers it would be great for French toast or a French toast casserole.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(2 ratings)
yield 2 serving(s)
prep time 5 Hr
cook time 45 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For houska - bohemian christmas bread

  • 1 1/2 c
    whole milk, scalded
  • 1 Tbsp
    yeast
  • 1/2 c
    warm water
  • 1/3 c
    butter
  • 1/2 c
    granulated sugar
  • 1 lg
    egg, beaten
  • 5 1/2 - 6 c
    all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 1/2 c
    almonds, chopped
  • 1/4 c
    dark rasins
  • 1/4 c
    golden raisins
  • 1 lg
    egg
  • 1 Tbsp
    water

How To Make houska - bohemian christmas bread

  • Scald milk and set aside to cool.
    1
    Scald milk and set aside to cool. It needs to be no warmer than 115 degrees.
  • Dissolve yeast in warm water
    2
    Dissolve yeast in warm water (temperature between 105-115 degrees).
  • Blend room temperature butter and sugar.
    3
    In a stand mixer or with a handheld mixer blend the room temperature butter and sugar. Mix until smooth and fluffyl
  • Add cooled scalded milk, dissolved yeast, and beaten egg.
    4
    Add cooled scalded milk mixing as you go. Then add the dissolved yeast and beaten egg.
  • Add 2 cups flour and salt.
    5
    Add 2 cups flour and salt. Beat until smooth.
  • Cover and let rise.
    6
    Cover and let rise for about 1/2 hour.
  • Fold in the chopped almonds and raisins.
    7
    Fold in the chopped almonds and raisins.
  • Add the rest of the flour a little at a time to make a soft dough.
    8
    Add a dough hook to your mixer or this can be done by hand. Add the rest of the flour a little at a time to make a soft dough.
  • Knead dough until smooth.
    9
    At this point you can turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth or use your dough hook and knead with that.
  • Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise.
    10
    Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for about 45 minutes.
  • Punch down in the bowl and let rise again.
    11
    Punch down in the bowl and let rise again for 45 minutes.
  • Turn out the dough and divide into two pieces.
    12
    Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and divide into two equal pieces.
  • Place dough in loaf pans and let rise.
    13
    Place dough into two greased loaf pans. Cover and let rise again for another 45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Beat an egg and 1 Tbsp of water for an egg wash.
    14
    After 45 minutes, beat an egg and 1 Tbsp of water for an egg wash.
  • Lightly brush the tops of the loaves with the egg wash.
    15
    Lightly brush the tops of the loaves with the egg wash.
  • Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.
    16
    Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.
  • Cool in the pan for five minutes and then move to a wire rack.
    17
    Allow the loaves to cool for 5 minutes. Then remove from the pans to cool completely.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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