Czech Christmas Houska
Description
Houska is a spiced holiday yeast bread laden with candied fruit peel, almonds, and raisins that's decorated with more nuts and fruits for a festive touch.
Ingredients
•
1 (3/5 ounce) cake compressed fresh yeast
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1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
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1/2 cup white sugar
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1/2 cup butter, softened
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1 large egg, beaten
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1 teaspoon salt
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2 cups scalded milk, cooled
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1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/4 teaspoon orange zest
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1 pinch ground ginger
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1 pinch ground mace
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4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 cup golden raisins
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1/2 cup candied mixed fruit peel
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1 large egg yolk
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1 tablespoon milk
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1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds
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2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
Directions
1
Make the sponge: Dissolve yeast in warm water.
2
Cream sugar and butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl. Add beaten egg and salt. Stir in cooled milk, then yeast mixture. Sift in flour and beat until smooth. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
3
Make the dough: Stir orange zest, ginger, and mace into sponge. Add flour and mix until a soft dough forms. Transfer dough to a lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic. Knead in raisins and candied peel. Place dough into a well-oiled bowl and turn once to coat the surface. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
4
Divide dough into 10 parts. Roll dough into ropes of desired length (make sure they are equal); let rise for 15 minutes.
5
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Generously grease a baking sheet.
6
Place 3 ropes dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Starting at the center and working toward each end, loosely braid ropes; pinch ends together to seal. Twist 2 more ropes together and place on the base of the braid. Repeat this process to form a second loaf with remaining dough.
7
Whisk egg yolk and milk together in a small bowl. Brush egg wash over each loaf and sprinkle with almonds. Let rise for about 45 minutes.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer loaves to a wire rack. Cover with a tea towel to make a soft crust; let cool completely.
9
Sprinkle cooled loaves with confectioners' sugar.