Delicious Easter Cottage Cheese Kulich Recipe

In a bowl, combine the warm milk with the dry yeast, sugar, and flour. Make sure to mix it well to eliminate lumps.

Cover the bowl with a towel and let it rest for **45 minutes** in a warm place until it becomes bubbly and puffy.

In another bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until the mixture is **light and fluffy**. It should turn a pale color and increase in volume.

Add the softened butter and cottage cheese, mixing until you achieve a **smooth and homogenous** mixture.

Once your starter dough is ready, gently fold it into the egg mixture. Then, gradually add the flour and vegetable oil. Mix until you get a **dense and smooth** dough that shouldn’t stick too much to your hands.

Knead the dough for about **15 minutes** until it becomes elastic and well-combined.

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for **1 hour** in a warm spot. It should double in size.

Once risen, add your choice of chocolate, nuts, or dried fruits to the dough. Make sure to **knead** it gently to incorporate the mix-ins evenly.

Grease a 9 cm (3.5 inch) round cake pan and fill it halfway with the dough. Allow it to rise again until it nearly reaches the top of the pan.

While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to **180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit)**.

Once the dough has risen adequately, bake it in the preheated oven for about **15 to 20 minutes**, or until golden brown on top and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center.

Let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.