Note: a half-batch fits nicely into the 4 loaf crimp pan at home.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- 2 1/4 teaspoons dry yeast
- 3 cups scalded milk, lukewarm
- 5 cups all purpose flour
- 6 eggs beaten
- small package of saffron
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2/3 cup melted butter
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 9 cups all purpose flour
Method
- Dissolve the honey in the water and sprinkle the yeast over it, allow to sit 10 minutes.
- Combine yeast with lukewarm milk and 5 cups of flour, beat until smooth.
- Cover and let rise until bubbly (about 1 hour).
- Grind saffron.
- Mix the beaten eggs, saffron, sugar, butter, and salt into the yeast mixture.
- Mix in flour and knead until dough no longer sticks to the hand.
- Move dough to floured surface and knead until dough is smooth and satiny.
- Place in a bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled.
- Punch down and let rise until doubled again.
- Divide dough into 4 equal parts.
- Form parts into long loaves and put in an open crimp pan.
- Cover and let rise until almost doubled again.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Close crimp pan and put in oven.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Lower temperature to 350°F and continue baking for about 40 minutes longer.
- Take pan out of oven, remove loaves, and cool loaves on wire rack.
Source
Adapted from Traditional Ukrainian Cookery (out of print).
