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Česnica
Česnica (чесница): Serbian Christmas bread with a lucky coin baked inside
On Serbian Orthodox Christmas morning, 7 January, the family stands around the table and breaks the česnica between them, turning the round loaf three times before everyone pulls off a piece. Whoever finds the coin hidden in the bread is said to have luck for the year. Recipes vary from flaky layered pies to this soft, slightly sweet yeasted loaf with a twisted rope round its edge, lovely with kajmak, cheese and the rest of the Christmas spread. Wrap the coin well and tell everyone before they bite, and keep an eye on small children, as a coin is a choking risk. The usual slip is rushing the rise in a cold kitchen, which gives a dense, heavy crumb; find a warm spot and wait until the dough has truly doubled. Chef's tip: brush the hot loaf with a little oil as it leaves the oven for a soft, shiny crust.
- Total time
- 120 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 10
Ingredients
For the dough
- 1 ¼ cups lukewarm water
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 ⅓ lb strong white bread flourplus extra for kneading
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup lukewarm milk
- ¼ cup sunflower oilplus 1 tbsp for brushing
To finish
- 1 coinscrubbed clean and tightly wrapped in foil
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
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Method
0/10 doneStep 1: Stir 1 tbsp sugar and ¼ oz fast-action dried yeast into 1 ¼ cups lukewarm water and leave for 10 minutes, until foamy on top.
10 minStep 2: Mix 1 ⅓ lb strong white bread flour and 1 ½ tsp salt in a large bowl, then add the yeast water, ½ cup lukewarm milk and most of the 3 tbsp sunflower oil. Stir into a shaggy dough.
3 minStep 3: Knead on a lightly floured surface for 10 minutes, until smooth, elastic and springy when poked.
10 minStep 4: Put it back in the bowl, cover and leave in a warm place for about 45 minutes, until doubled in size.
45 minStep 5: Knock the dough back and pull off about 150 g for decorating. Shape the rest into a smooth ball and press the wrapped 1 coin deep into it from underneath, pinching the dough closed over it.
3 minStep 6: Set the loaf seam-side down on a lined baking tray and flatten it slightly to about 22 cm across. Roll the reserved dough into two thin ropes, twist them together and lay them round the top edge, pressing lightly.
5 minStep 7: Cover and leave for 20 minutes, until puffy. Meanwhile heat the oven to 375°F.
20 minStep 8: Brush with 2 tbsp milk and sprinkle with 1 tbsp sesame seeds if using.
1 minStep 9: Bake for 35–40 minutes, until deep golden and the base sounds hollow when tapped.
38 minStep 10: Brush the hot crust with the rest of the 2 ⅜ tsp sunflower oil and cool on a rack for at least 20 minutes before breaking.
20 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 300 kcal
- Protein
- 8 g
- Carbs
- 50 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does česnica take?
- About 120 minutes in total: 80 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 10 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of fast-action dried yeast?
- Fresh yeast, three times the weight.
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