Vánočka (Czech Christmas Braided Bread)
In short: A golden braided loaf enriched with butter, eggs and milk, scented with lemon and studded with raisins and almonds. Baked for Christmas. It takes about 1 h 40 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 1 h
- Cook
- 40 min
- Resting
- 3 h
- Total
- 1 h 40 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 320 kcal
Vánočka is the braided sweet bread Czech families bake for Christmas, eaten on Christmas morning and again on New Year's Day. The dough is rich with butter, eggs and milk, scented with lemon zest and filled with raisins and almonds. Bakers traditionally stack a large braid with a smaller one on top, and the loaf is lovely sliced with butter or toasted the next day.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, sugar, salt and lemon zest in a large bowl. Add the milk, eggs, egg yolk, vanilla and melted butter and knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours, until doubled.
- Soak the raisins in hot water for 10 minutes, drain and pat dry. Knead the raisins and 50 g almonds into the dough.
- Divide the dough into two pieces, one about two thirds and one about one third. Divide each piece into 3 strands and roll them into even ropes, about 40 cm (16 in) for the large piece and 30 cm (12 in) for the small one.
- Braid the large piece loosely and place it on a lined baking sheet. Braid the small piece and lay it on top, pressing it gently into place.
- Cover and let rise for 45 minutes until puffy. Heat the oven to 170°C (340°F).
- Brush with the egg yolk mixture and sprinkle with the almonds.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until deep golden and 93°C (200°F) inside. Cover with foil after 20 minutes if it browns too quickly.
- Cool on a rack for at least 1 hour before slicing.
Tips
- Keep the braids loose and the strands even. The dough expands in the oven, and a tight braid cracks.
- Soak and dry the raisins before kneading them in. Dry raisins steal moisture from the dough, and wet ones make it sticky.
Questions and answers
How long does vánočka stay fresh?
Wrapped, it stays soft for 3 to 4 days. Freeze it sliced for up to 2 months and toast the slices from frozen.
Can I leave out the raisins and almonds?
Yes. A plain vánočka is just as traditional, and some families add dried cranberries or candied peel instead.
Why is vánočka braided in layers?
The stacked braid is the classic Czech shape for Christmas bread. A single braid tastes exactly the same, so use whichever is easier.
How long does it take to make Vánočka (Czech Christmas Braided Bread)?
About 1 h 40 min in total: 1 h of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Vánočka (Czech Christmas Braided Bread)?
About 320 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 45 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 320 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 45 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 13 g |
| Sodium | 210 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
