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Mazanec
Easter raisin and almond bread
Mazanec: Czech round Easter bread with raisins, almonds and a cross
CzechMazanec is the round Easter bread of Bohemia, baked on Holy Saturday and eaten on Easter Sunday and Monday. The sweet yeast dough is rich with butter, egg yolks and lemon, studded with raisins and almonds, and scored with a deep cross before baking so it opens like a flower. Old recipes soak the raisins in rum; here they are soaked in warm tea, so the bread is alcohol-free. Slice it and spread with butter and honey. Chef's tip: give mazanec a long, slow bake at a moderate heat, because the rich dough browns quickly and the centre needs time.
- Total time
- 85 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
- 3 ½ oz raisinssoaked in warm tea
- ¾ cup milklukewarm
- 1 ⅛ lb strong white flour
- 2 ⅞ oz caster sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 3 ½ oz buttersoft
- 1 lemonzest only
- 1 ⅜ oz flaked almondsplus extra for the top
- 1 eggbeaten
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Mix 1 ⅛ lb strong white flour, ¼ oz fast-action dried yeast, 2 ⅞ oz caster sugar, 1 tsp salt and 1 lemon. Add ¾ cup milk, 2 egg yolks and 1 egg and knead for 8 minutes, then knead in 3 ½ oz butter for 5 minutes, until smooth and glossy.
13 minStep 2: Cover and leave in a warm place for 1½ hours, until doubled.
Step 3: Knead in well-drained 3 ½ oz raisins and most of 1 ⅜ oz flaked almonds. Shape into a tight round loaf and set on a lined tray. Cover and leave for 40 minutes, until puffy.
Step 4: Brush with 1 egg, cut a deep cross on top with a sharp knife or scissors, brush again and scatter with the rest of the almonds.
Step 5: Bake at 350°F (300°F fan) for 40–45 minutes, until deep golden and a skewer comes out clean. Cover with foil if it browns too quickly. A common mistake is adding wet raisins, which make grey streaks and a soggy crumb.
45 minStep 6: Cool on a rack before slicing.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 300 kcal
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 44 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does mazanec take?
- About 85 minutes in total: 40 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 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 milk?
- Oat, soy or almond milk, same amount (use unsweetened for savoury dishes).
- What can I use instead of fast-action dried yeast?
- Fresh yeast, three times the weight.
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Perfect for:Easter