Go Back
+ servings
Kulich - Sweet Russian Easter Bread Delicious Closeup on the Side of It
Print

Kulich – Sweet Russian Easter Bread

Russian Kulich (sweet Easter bread) is fluffy, fragrant, soft and aromatic. This recipe is healthier and less time-consuming than the original. This kulich doesn't go stale for more than 10 days!
Course bread
Cuisine Russian
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 276kcal

Ingredients

For the kulich:

  • 80 grams or 1/3 cup or 2/3 stick butter at room temperature
  • 42 grams or 4 tablespoons fresh yeast (or 14 grams or 5 teaspoons dry yeast)
  • 100 ml or 0.4 cup lukewarm milk + 1 tablespoon
  • 100 ml or 0.4 cup agave nectar
  • 500 grams or around 4 cups flour I used 1:1 ratio of all-purpose to whole wheat flour
  • 3 eggs + 1 egg yolk
  • zest of 1 big orange and 1 big lemon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • a pinch of salt

For the glaze:

  • 80 grams or 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons sugar pearls to garnish

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together softened butter, crumbled (or dry) yeast, milk and agave nectar. Put the flour into a large bowl, make a well in the middle and pour the butter mixture in it. Knead until smooth. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, mix together three eggs, orange and lemon zest, cardamom and a pinch of salt. Add it to the dough and knead again. Cover and let raise in a warm place for 90 minutes.
    Kulich - Sweet Russian Easter Bread Three Images Collage
  • Meanwhile, prepare a tall backing form or a saucepan. You can watch this video tutorial on how to line your backing form with parchment paper. Alternatively, use Panettone paper molds. Knead the dough once again, transfer to the baking form/saucepan/paper mold and let rest for 30 more minutes. Preheat the oven to 200 °C or 390 °F. Mix 1 tablespoon milk with an egg yolk and coat the top of the kulich using a little brush. Bake kulich for 25 minutes until golden brown. Let cool before taking it out of the form/paper.
    Kulich - Sweet Russian Easter Bread Step by Step Images Collage
  • Make the glaze: mix together powdered sugar and lemon juice. Add 1 tablespoon water to thin it up. Once the kulich is cooled, pour the glaze over it and sprinkle with sugar pearls before the glaze sets. Serve with paskha. Enjoy!
    Kulich - Sweet Russian Easter Bread Another Step by Step Images Collage

Notes

Active working time is 20 minutes, waiting for the dough to rise will take around 2 hours and baking time is 25 minutes.
 
Store in the fridge in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 10 days. When stale, use kulich for making French toasts.

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 69mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 240IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2.3mg