Bulgarian Easter Bread Kozunak
Sweet Traditional Bulgarian Easter Bread Kozunak, stringy texture and amazing flavor.
Sweet Easter Bread
Happy Friday everyone! I know it is the perfect time for St. Patrick’s Day recipes in the food blogging world, but unfortunately I don’t have any to share. At least, not yet! I do have a Bulgarian Easter Bread Kozunak recipe, one of my favorite baked goods for Easter, which is less than a month away, just to remind you.
As some of you might already know, I was born in Bulgaria and like to share recipes from back home from time to time. I often get hesitant to post recipes, that use yeast, not that it is too difficult to work with it, but it does require patience. I would hate for anyone to waste any ingredients and will try to give some detailed instructions.
The dough for this sweet Easter bread could be made in in a bread machine, unfortunately I don’t own one…
Kozunak (also called Kozonak or Kozounak) is a sweet Bulgarian bread, often made for Easter. It is also popular in Romanian, French or Italian cuisines, under different names. It is similar to Italian Panettone.
This Bulgarian Easter Bread Kozunak is made with milk, flour, sugar, eggs, oil (or melted butter, I just prefer the texture when made with oil) and lemon zest (in Bulgaria), it has a unique flavor and ad stringy texture. Raisins, walnuts or chopped dried apricots are often added to the dough. This time I did not add anything to the dough, but you can do it after the dough rises.
I’m not gonna lie, the smell of this bread brings sweet memories from my childhood, but I’ve been making it pretty often, not just for Easter. Excuse its look, I’ve made better ones, but this one was delicious!
Kozunak
Tastes great with Nutella or jam in my opinion. Enjoy it with a cup of coffee or tea. Leftover slices can be used to make french toast of bread pudding.
Have a great weekend! It is supposed to be in the low 50s next week in the Chicago area, so I’m very excited, if that turns out to be true!
Bulgarian Sweet Easter Bread Kozunak
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Bulgarian Easter Bread Kozuna
Ingredients
Bread:
- 2 1/4 tsp dry yeast
- 1 cup lukewarm milk
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3 eggs minus 1 egg yolk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- zest from 1 medium lemon
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil — (or melted butter, I prefer oil)
- 4 1/2 cups flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
Egg wash:
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp cold milk
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Topping:
- 2 tbsp sugar
Instructions
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In a small bowl combine dry yeast, 1/2 cup of the milk and 1 tbsp sugar. Cover and set a side for 10 minutes.
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In a large bowl, sift flour and add in salt.Set a side.
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In a bowl (you can use a stand mixer) whisk together sugar and eggs, until sugar is dissolved. Add vanilla and then milk. Add half of the oil. Mix to combine. Add in yeast and milk mixture and whisk to combine. Add 1/2 of the flour and mix until well combined.
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At this time you can add the lemon juice and lemon zest.
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Gradually add the rest of the flour, mixing jus until combined (I use my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer with the dough hook of speed 4-6). Add the remaining oil in 2-3 parts, mixing in between.
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Dough should be soft and sticky.
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Transfer dough to a large grades and floured bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise at a warm place, until it doubles its size. This may take between 2-5 hours, depending on the temperature, humidity and types of ingredients used.
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Meanwhile prepare the egg wash for brushing the bread by whisking together 1 egg yolk, 1 tbsp milk and 1 tbsp oil. Keep in the fridge.
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Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Oil and flour a 9x5 in loaf pan. Set a side.
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Once the dough rises, transfer to a generously floured working surface. Divide dough into 3 equal parts. Form balls, then roll into logs. Make a braid out of the dough. Transfer to loaf pan. Cover and let it rest for 15 more minutes.
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Brush bread with de wash and top wit a generous amount of sugar.
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Bake at 375 F (190 C) for 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350 F (177 C) and bake for at least 20-30 more minutes, until the top of the bread is browned and toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
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Let bread cool inside the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and let it cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 353, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 59mg, Sodium: 75mg, Potassium: 99mg, Carbohydrates: 51g, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 15g, Protein: 7g, Vitamin A: 115%, Vitamin C: 0.2%, Calcium: 40%, Iron: 2.4%Here are some step by step pictures of the process:
- Kozunak
MORE BREADS:
Peanut Butter Bread With Cream Cheese Layer
Sesame Mini Hamburger Bread Buns
This bread looks gorgeous, Mira! I love the fluffy texture and sweetness of it. And I agree, nutella sounds perfect on this! Pinned!
No matter what you say, I think this bread looks fantabulous and would smell wonderful wafting out of the kitchen. And for Easter, I love making recipes that are inspired by different countries, and different ethnicities. Yum!
That bread is beautiful! It looks so fluffy! Homemade bread is just soooo delicious. I wish I had some of this! I’m also super impressed with all the step-by-step photos!
Mira,
I also don’t know why but yeah St’ Patty’s day is one holiday I always seem to glance over and I’m right on to Easter! Maybe b.c I love Easter! 😛 love this bread!!! it’s gorgeous!!! and WOW, all the process shots!!! Wow, love this! Happy Friday!
You know what, Mira? I’d forgotten Easter was so early in April, so I’m glad you reminded me! I feel like time is flying by so quickly this year. This bread looks so rustic and beautiful, and perfect for Easter! Your step by step photos are phenomenal too. Pinned.
Thanks a lot Marcie! So glad you like it! Yeah, I did not remember Easter was earlier this year, until I checked 🙂
This looks so rich and delicious! So fluffy and perfect with warm jam 🙂
This is a beautiful loaf of bread, I feel like I can smell it from here. Thank you for sharing.
I had some of this bread when I was in Prague and it was seriously the best bread I have ever had. I have been wondering how to make it myself ever since.
Even though I won’t be making this, I have to tell you how beautiful it is. I can only imagine how wonderful your house must have smelled while it was baking. 🙂
That bread looks delicious. I’ve only ever tried traditional Easter bread once, and wasn’t really a fan, it was super dry. I’ll have to try your recipe – cause I’m assuming the one I tried just wasn’t a great recipe! This one looks fantastic!
homemade breads are the best and this looks so pretty Mira! 🙂 Thanks for sharing! Pinned!
Thanks Manali!
I love that you are sharing this tradition with us, Mira! I will definitely be making this bread!
Thanks Justine! I hope you like it!
I love that you are sharing this traditional bread with us and would llove to see more 🙂 This bread looks stunning and so fluffy! Love the gorgeous photos too, especially all the process shots, they’re so helpful!
So glad you like it Kelly! I was a little worried to share this recipe, but it tastes delicious!
That looks yummy! I need to really start trying my hand at making my own breads.. it looks like SO MUCH FUN! – www.domesticgeekgirl.com
This bread looks amazing Mira! My family would love having this for Easter!
glad you like it Kelley!
There is an Easter bread very similar to this called tsoureki, Mira … it’s sooo delicious when it’s fresh. The Greek one always has a red painted egg in the middle of it. I’m going to miss that this easter so maybe I’d better follow your recipe and make one similar of my own!
Thanks Helen, the Greek one is very similar, so you can try this one 🙂 You can place an egg in the middle and form the bread as a wreath .
I love sweet breads…especially those that are homemade! This is a perfect addition to any lovely Easter table! Thanks, Mira!
Thanks so much Annie!
Невероятен козунак си направила, хубаво е че показваш на света нещо от България, ще те следя и за напред! Поздрави от мен и дъждовна Варна!
Много ви благодаря!!!
Oh my word this looks beautiful!! what a lovely recipe!! Isn’t homemade bread just the best?!! 🙂 YUM!
Thanks Cailee 🙂
This bread looks so soft and spongy inside! Never heard of this before but totally looking to give this a try 🙂
beautiful loaf of bread, Mira! I so wanted to make easter bread from long… now I will! thanks for the inspiration! pinning!
This Bulgarian Easter bread looks so rich, moist and divine! I will definitely be making this bread for Easter! Thanks for share. 🙂
Hope you like it Anu!
Oh my, the texture of that bread is making my mouth water! I want to slather a warm slice of it in butter! I love those step-by-step photos too, Mira. Wonderful post!
Thanks Marissa!!!
Delícia!!! i have to pin this recipe. Thank you Mira.
thanks so much Regina!!!
My god Mira! This is stunning! I absolutely love that you have shared this bread from your childhood with us. THIS Is the kind of food that makes me hop up and down with excitement!! 🙂
It’s funny! I also kind of skipped St. Patrick’s in my head and am already thinking of Easter as the next holiday 😀 The bread looks good!
I can’t wait to make this. I’ve never made a Bulgarian recipe I didn’t like. That reminds me, I think it’s time for a shopska salad at my house. 🙂
So glad you like it Maureen! And you know of “shopska salad”? It is my favorite 🙂
I love all sorts of sweet bread – this one looks amazing! Have you ever tried baking it into smaller “buns”?
Made this last week and LOVED it! Thank you for the recipe 🙂
So glad it worked for you Tara!
Zdravei Mira and Hristos Voskrese in advance! You are obviously Americanized, because you give measurements in cups. For those of us in Europe, could you also give measurements in grammes and millilitres? I just got my stand mixer and will be trying your Kozunak recipe tomorrow – wish me luck!
Hi Rob! Thanks! Have a great holiday! One American cup is 250 ml (liquid), for the flour in this recipe it is 576 grams. http://dish.allrecipes.com/cup-to-gram-conversions/ you can convert everything here. I’m planning to add the grams measurements to all my recipes in the future.
This bread was amazing I am from Bulgaria and this bread it something that I miss very much.Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Thank you so much for the nice comment! Glad you liked it! Stay safe!
Merci, Mira! It reminds me of my childhood too. I am excited about following this recipe and making it for my family. Pozdravi!!
Hi Daniela, I hope you like it 🙂
I now live in Bulgaria and love the Easter bread , I am going to make this tomorrow (Saturday ) and after the Easter concert on Monday I will be sharing it with the coloured eggs .
Hi Jane, hope you liked the bread and had a nice holiday!