Eastern European Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. 
Serving Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Paska
Ukraine's beautifully decorated Easter bread — soft, lightly sweetened, and faintly scented with citrus and vanilla — a symbol of celebration broken with family.
Contains common allergens
In the app, Listahan checks these against your household automatically.
Instructions
8 steps- 1
Dissolve the yeast and a pinch of the sugar in the warm milk and let stand until foamy, about 8 minutes.
- 2
In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the remaining sugar until pale, then mix in the softened butter, orange and lemon zest, vanilla, salt, and the yeast mixture.
- 3
Gradually work in the flour, kneading until you have a smooth, soft, slightly tacky dough, about 10 minutes. Fold in the raisins if using.
- 4
Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
- 5
Punch down the dough, reserve a small piece for decorative braids, and shape the rest into a round loaf. Place in a tall, buttered cylindrical pan lined with parchment.
- 6
Roll the reserved dough into thin ropes and braid or twist into a cross or braid pattern on top of the loaf, then let rise again, covered, for 45 minutes.
- 7
Brush the top with egg wash and bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes, tenting with foil if the top browns too quickly, until a skewer inserted comes out clean.
- 8
Cool completely, then drizzle with a simple icing of powdered sugar and milk before serving.
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Listahan Family Score™
66/100
Works for many families
Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.
Nutrition
per serving430
Calories
10 g
Protein
64 g
Carbs
15 g
Fat
Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.
Listahan cooking guide
Chef notes & practical guide
Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.
Cultural context
Paska is a sweet, egg-enriched bread baked for Easter across Ukrainian and other Eastern Orthodox households, traditionally brought to church in a basket to be blessed before the holiday meal begins. Its dough is often shaped with braided or cross-shaped decorations on top, distinguishing it from an everyday loaf.
Listahan note
This version enriches the dough with a generous amount of egg and butter and gives it a long, slow rise, since a rich, sweet dough like this proofs more slowly than a plain bread and rushing the rise leaves the crumb dense rather than soft and pillowy.
Technique cues
- Proof the yeast in warm milk or water with a little sugar before mixing it into the rest of the dough, confirming it's active and bubbly rather than finding out only after a long rise fails.
- Knead the enriched dough well past the point it looks smooth, since the added butter and eggs make the gluten slower to develop than in a plain bread dough.
- Let the dough rise until roughly doubled in a warm spot, which can take noticeably longer than a lean bread dough because of the fat and sugar content slowing yeast activity.
- Braid or shape any decorative pieces from a small portion of dough set aside before the final rise, then attach them gently to the loaf's surface so they hold through baking.
Kitchen flow
- Parallel prep
- Prepare garnishes, sides, or serving dishes while Paska handles its longest bake, chill, or set step.
- Make-ahead
- Paska's dough or batter (built around active dry yeast) can usually be made a day ahead and refrigerated, then baked fresh — many doughs actually improve with an overnight rest.
- Leftover move
- Leftover Paska freezes well — wrap individual portions tightly and thaw at room temperature, or crumble it over ice cream for a quick second life. This one leans on the active dry yeast. Everything else is quick — the bake is the one step that takes real time.
- Cleanup rhythm
- Soak the mixing bowl and beaters for Paska right away — sugar and butter residue hardens fast once it cools. This one leans on the active dry yeast. Everything else is quick — the bake is the one step that takes real time.
Ingredient brief
Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.
Flour
Structural base
Purpose: Flour defines the shape and texture of the dish.
Handling: Measure before heating and break up clumps so the mix distributes evenly.
Adaptation: Use a certified gluten-free alternative when needed and expect a small texture change.
eggs
Main protein or body
Purpose: eggs gives Paska its main substance and carries the seasoning.
Handling: Prep before heat is high so the cooking step can move without rushing.
Adaptation: Use an egg-free substitute only when binding or glazing is not the main structure.
butter
Richness and texture
Purpose: butter rounds the texture and helps the dish feel complete.
Handling: Prep before heat is high so the cooking step can move without rushing.
Adaptation: Use unsweetened dairy-free alternatives only where they still provide enough fat and body.
yeast
Flavor support
Purpose: yeast supports the balance of Paska and should taste integrated.
Handling: Prep before heat is high so the cooking step can move without rushing.
Adaptation: Use the closest fresh equivalent and expect a modest shift in flavor or texture.
raisins
Flavor support
Purpose: raisins supports the balance of Paska and should taste integrated.
Handling: Prep before heat is high so the cooking step can move without rushing.
Adaptation: Use the closest fresh equivalent and expect a modest shift in flavor or texture.
Technique notes
- Brush the loaf with an egg wash before baking for a deep golden sheen, especially important for showing off any braided decoration on top.
- Let the loaf cool fully on a wire rack before slicing; a warm enriched bread like this is still setting internally and cuts unevenly if sliced too soon.
- Paska is traditionally served plain or with butter alongside the rest of the Easter meal, rather than as a dessert on its own.
Ingredient swaps
- Gluten-free direction
- Replace the all-purpose flour with a certified gluten-free 1:1 flour blend or gluten-free noodles/breadcrumbs — check that any other packaged ingredients here are labeled gluten-free too. This one leans on the active dry yeast. This one's done in around 180 minutes, plated for 8. It belongs squarely to the Eastern European table. Just 8 ingredients get this one to the table.
- Dairy-free direction
- Swap the unsalted butter for a neutral dairy-free butter and a full-fat plant milk (oat or coconut give the closest richness) — the texture shifts slightly but the dish holds together. This one leans on the active dry yeast.
- Egg-aware direction
- Replace the eggs with a flax or chia egg (1 tbsp ground seed + 3 tbsp water, rested 5 minutes) for binding, best when eggs are there for binding rather than structure or rise. This one leans on the active dry yeast.
- Lower-sodium direction
- Salt in stages instead of all at once, tasting as you go — you'll likely need less than the full amount. This one leans on the active dry yeast. Clock it at close to 180 minutes to feed 8. Eastern European technique drives this recipe. Count the ingredient list and it's 8 deep.
Serve alongside
- Fresh berries
- Citrus fruit salad
- Mint leaves
- Black coffee
- Hot tea
- Sparkling water with lemon
Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.
Storage & reheating
- Store covered for 3 to 4 days, refrigerated when dairy, eggs, custard, or fresh fruit are involved.
- Reheat gently only when warmth improves the texture.
- Freeze sturdy baked portions up to 2 months; avoid freezing delicate fresh toppings.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Baking dish or pan
- Cooling rack
Make this household-aware
Listahan Pro checks this recipe against your household's allergens, finds pantry-aware swaps, builds the shopping list, and helps you plan the week around it.
Plan it in Listahan
Add Paska to your week, check it against your household's allergens, and build the shopping list automatically.
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