Sweet Česnica (Serbian Christmas Bread) Recipe
A ceremonial Serbian česnica bread is a slightly sweet, round loaf baked with a coin inside for Christmas Day celebrations.
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Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400 F.
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Combine lukewarm milk and yeast until dissolved, then add sugar and let stand 10 minutes.
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Incorporate 4 egg yolks, butter, salt, and 5 1/2 cups flour into the mixture, then knead for 7-15 minutes until a smooth, stiff dough forms, adding up to 1/2 cup additional flour if necessary.
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Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, turn to coat, cover, and let rise until doubled.
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While the bread dough rises, prepare the sculpting dough by mixing flour, yolk, and milk in a small bowl until pliable.
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Once the bread dough has risen, punch it down, transfer it to a greased round baking pan, and insert a sterilized coin.
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Form decorations from the sculpting dough, dip them in reserved egg whites, and "glue" them onto the bread.
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Cover the decorated bread and let it rise again until doubled.
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Brush the entire top of the bread with egg white.
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Bake for 10 minutes, then loosely tent with foil, reduce the oven to 350 F, and bake for 50-60 more minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 190 F.
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Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.