Delicious Homemade Easter Kulich Bread Recipe

Warm the milk slightly and mix in the Dr. Bakers yeast, salt, a couple of tablespoons of sugar, and five tablespoons of flour from the overall amount.

Stir well to combine, cover with plastic wrap, and place in a warm spot for an hour. For a warm spot, I usually heat the oven slightly, turn it off, and put the bowl inside.

Once the dough starter has risen, combine it with the remaining sugar, vanilla sugar, softened butter, and egg yolks.

Gradually incorporate the main portion of flour, leaving some for adjusting the consistency later.

Mix until smooth. I recommend using a mixer equipped with dough hooks for better results.

Knead the dough for about 20 minutes until it no longer sticks to your hands. If necessary, add small amounts of flour until it reaches the right consistency.

Grease a bowl with vegetable oil and place the dough inside. Cover it and put it in a warm area for around 2 hours. The dough should triple in size.

Soak the dried fruits in orange juice for an hour and then pat them dry with a paper towel. Carefully fold them into the dough after the first rise.

Divide the dough and place it into baking forms, filling each form no more than 1/3 full. This will allow space for the kulich to rise and expand while baking.

Cover the shaped kulich with plastic wrap and place them back in a warm spot for another 2 hours. They need time to rise again.

Preheat your oven to 170 degrees Celsius (340 degrees Fahrenheit). Bake the kulich for about 30 minutes. You can check if they're done by inserting a toothpick or tapping on the kulich; a hollow sound will indicate they're finished.

For decorative flowers, cut marshmallows into desired shapes. Once the kulich has cooled, decorate with Dr. Bakers icing and sprinkles to make them festive and appealing.