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Paska is the Easter Bread is a big part of the Easter tradition. Conventional Paska Bread consists of a round shaped, sweet tasting bread with raisins. Light and flaky dough that will melt in your mouth!

Easter bread with another one next to it

This recipe is my all-time favorite Paska Bread. I’ve made it many times and have never been disappointed. The process seems to be lengthy, but it’s actually pretty simple, as long as you follow the steps.

Paska is supposed to come out moist and flaky, but not crumbly. This recipe achieves all of the above.

What is the Difference Between Babka and Paska Bread?

Babka and paska are both traditional Easter yeast breads. Ukrainians make them during the holiday as a special treat that is both holy and delicious. However, they can be enjoyed by all during Easter because they are just THAT tasty. Here’s the difference between the two:

Babka

Babka is a tall and cylindrical cake that is baked in a bundt-style pan. It typically contains raisins and is iced on top. It’s very sweet and similar to the Italian panettone. 

Paska

Paska, which translates to “Easter” in Ukrainian, is slightly sweet and similar to challah. This egg bread is typically braided and decorated with religious symbols for Easter. Then, it is taken to the church in a beautiful basket and blessed. 

Ingredients for the Easter Bread recipe

Paska Bread Topping

Paska Bread is typically finished off with a topping. Combine together 2 cups of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk. Drizzle the mixture over the top of the paska bread.

Tips for The Perfect Paska Bread

  • If you can get your hands on Canadian flour, I would highly recommend using it.
  • Depending on the flour you use, you may need to add a little more. This dough is on the sticky side but shouldn’t be runny.
  • To activate the yeast, the milk temperature should be at around 110 °F – 120 °F.
  • Soak raisins before adding them to the dough; they will have a nicer texture.
  • You can freeze Paska without the glaze in an airtight container; thaw at room temperature.
  • Here is the mold you can purchase, or you can also get a cake pan.
Dry ingredients in a mixing bowl
dough starter in a mixing bowl
Easter bread dough in the making
Egg whites added to the easter bread dough
Paska dough in a making
Paska bread dough with raisins

Other Recipes to Try

Recipe

Easter bread with another one next to it

Easter Bread

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Servings
20 servings
Prep Time 2 hrs
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 3 hrs
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
Paska is the Easter Bread is a big part of the Easter tradition. Conventional Paska Bread consists of a round shaped, sweet tasting bread with raisins. Light and flaky dough that will melt in your mouth!

Ingredients

Bread

Topping

US Units – Metric

Instructions

Bread

  • Combine warm milk together with yeast and two cups of flour. Combine by whisking all the ingredients together. Cover the bowl with a towel and set it aside in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
    dough starter in a mixing bowl
  • While the dough is rising, separate the egg yolks from egg whites. Whisk egg yolks together with 1 cup of sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk whites until they turn into a foamy (stiff peeks) mixture.
    Egg whites and egg yolks in two bowl
  • Mix egg yolks into the dough, followed by butter, vanilla extract and egg whites.
    Easter bread dough in the making
  • If you’re using your mixer, mix in the rest of the flour in small portions. Knead the dough until it becomes elastic. In the picture, you can see how smooth the dough will turn out. The dough is going to be more on a sticky side. 
    Paska dough in a making
  • Cover the dough with a towel and set it aside to rise for about an hour.
    Kneaded dough in a bowl
  • While the dough is rising, soak raisins in warm water for 15 minutes. Drain the raisins completely and mix them into the dough; Cover with a towel and set it aside, once again.
    Paska bread dough with raisins
  • The dough will be sticky, so you may want to oil your hands. Fill up each buttered pan, half way, with the dough. Cover the bread with a towel and set aside to rise for about 30 minutes.
    Paska breads are formed
  • Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes, depending on the size of your paska. Let the bread cool completely to room temperature.
    Easter bread with another one next to it

Topping

  • Combine together powdered sugar with milk; stir to until you get an even texture. Optionally, you can use a piping bag or a plastic sandwich bag for topping.
    Milk and powdered sugar combined in a measuring cup using a spatula
  • Drizzle the glaze along the sides of the bread, cover the middle with the glaze. Optionally add some sprinkles to the bread.
    A ziploc bag being used to pour glaze over the top of the Easter Bread
Nutrition Facts
Easter Bread
Amount Per Serving
Calories 374 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 6g30%
Cholesterol 73mg24%
Sodium 107mg4%
Potassium 218mg6%
Carbohydrates 64g21%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 23g26%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 364IU7%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 50mg5%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted April 1, 2020

About Author

Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.