Easter Kulich with Sponge Dough

Baking and Desserts • Russian

Time 3 hours + 4 hours

Ingredients 20

Servings 15

Description

The kulich can be soaked. For this, mix 4 tablespoons of brandy, warm water (150 g), and brown sugar (3 tablespoons) in a glass. Make several small holes on top of the kulich with a thin skewer and inject the soaking mixture using a syringe.

Ingredients

Wheat Flour 30 oz
Fenugreek ½ teaspoon
Milk 20 fl oz
Chocolate eggs 10 pieces
Butter 15 oz
Sugar 4 cups
Salt a pinch
Dry yeast 0 oz
Vanilla salt 0 oz
Baking Powder 1 teaspoon
Vodka 0 fl oz
Nutmeg 1 teaspoon
Turmeric 2 teaspoons
Candied fruits 5 oz
Powdered Sugar 1 cup
Light Raisins, Seedless 5 oz
Egg white 2 pieces
Meyer Lemon Juice 1 teaspoon
Marzipan 0 oz
Pastry decorations to taste

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1

Prepare the sponge: dissolve a tablespoon of sugar and the yeast in warm milk. Add 200 grams of sifted flour and mix well. Place in a warm place. The sponge rises for 20-30 minutes. I place the bowl with the sponge in warm water to speed up the process.

Step 2

Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Place the egg whites in the refrigerator. Whisk the yolks until white with sugar.

Step 3

Melt the butter and let it cool.

Step 4

When the sponge has doubled in size, add the yolks with sugar, the cooled melted butter, vanilla, nutmeg, turmeric, fenugreek, vodka (any strong alcohol can be used), baking powder, and mix everything very well with a mixer.

Step 5

Beat the chilled egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form.

Step 6

Gradually add the remaining flour (a total of 900-1000 grams depending on the brand) to the dough, sifting it through a sieve. Gently fold in the egg whites. Add the candied fruits and raisins.

Step 7

Continue kneading the dough until bubbles form. The consistency of the dough should be similar to very thick sour cream.

Step 8

Let the dough rise for 4-5 hours in a warm place.

Step 9

When the dough has risen, take the kulich molds. I buy ready-made baking paper molds; they are very convenient and make the product look beautiful.

Step 10

Divide the dough among the molds, filling them to 1/3 full. Let the dough rise again to 1/3.

Step 11

Preheat the oven to 180-200 °C. Place a dish with water at the bottom of the oven. This is to prevent the kulich from cracking.

Step 12

Place the kulich in the oven and bake for about an hour (this depends on the oven). The main thing is not to open the oven in the first 30 minutes. Check for readiness with a wooden stick. Insert it into the kulich, piercing to the bottom. If no dough sticks to the stick, the kulich is ready!

Step 13

Let the kulich cool.

Step 14

Prepare the glaze: beat the egg whites until stiff, add powdered sugar and lemon juice.

Step 15

Cover the cooled kulich with the glaze. When the glaze hardens, decorate the kulich with marzipan figures and decorative sprinkles!