Paska Bread (Slovak Easter Bread)

I have to give credit where credit is due, my sister Sophia was a big help in making this bread and I'll be the first to admit she's the paska expert- not me. It's a tradition in my house to make this bread every Good Friday or the Friday leading up to Easter. A typical Slovak Easter wouldn't be complete without a loaf of this crumbly, sweet bread. And while it's baking, your home is filled with a rich buttery aroma.  

Ingredients: Yields 8 Loaves

Instant Yeast--- 4 Packets
Salted Butter--- 6 Sticks
Milk--- 2 Qt
Eggs (yolks only)--- 12, large
Sugar--- 1 CUP
All Purpose Flour--- 20 CUPS

Additional Egg (for egg wash)--- 1

STEP BY STEP: 

• In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt and yeast

• In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks with sugar until they turn a lemony yellow color

• Microwave milk for 5 minutes until scalded. Add butter to warm milk

• Add milk to flour little by little. Also add eggs to the flour. Mix and knead as you go

• Knead until dough comes cleanly off your hands

• Cover dough and place onto a heating pad (set to medium/high) for 10 minutes

• Separate into 8 loaves and let rise on the heating pad until they have doubled in size (For about 1 hour)

• Preheat oven to 350F

• Make an egg wash and brush the tops of the loaves

• Bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes. Should be a nice golden brown color once ready. 

Let cool before cutting and enjoy! Have a Happy Easter!