Houska
A homemade bread recipe for Houska.
Ingredients
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees)
- 4−5 cups all−purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 8 ounces raisins
- 1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds
Instructions
- 1
Stir yeast and 1 teaspoon of the sugar into the warm water in small bowl, let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Combine 1 1/2 cups of the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- 3
Make a well in center and add 1 cup of the milk and the yeast mixture. Stir until smooth.
- 4
Cover and place in a warm spot, let rise until doubled, about 2 hours.
- 5
Combine remaining milk, remaining sugar and butter in a small saucepan. Heat gently until butter melts. Cool to lukewarm. Add to risen dough.
- 6
Stir in enough of remaining flour to make a soft dough. Mix in raisins.
- 7
Turn dough onto a floured board. Knead until supple and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes.
- 8
Return to large mixing bowl, cover and let rise until doubled, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
- 9
Punch down dough. Traditionally, houska is shaped as a three−strand braid but it also can be shaped into an oblong free−form loaf. Shape as desired and place on a greased baking sheet.
- 10
Cover loosely and let rise until doubled, 35 to 40 minutes.
- 11
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brush top with egg yolk and sprinkle with almonds.
- 12
Bake at 375 degrees until nicely browned, 35 to 40 minutes.
- 13
Cool on a wire rack before slicing.