Desserts
Paska (Easter Pastry)
↓ Jump to recipe
Prep
30 minutes plus rising
Cook
35 to 40 minutes
Total
1 hr 10 min
Paska is a rich Easter pastry that bakes soft and lightly sweet, with sour cream and butter giving it a plush crumb that stays tender for days.
Ingredients
- 150 g butter
- 250 g sour cream
- 250 g milk
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 cup sugar
- 50 g fresh yeast
- 3 cups flour
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- 1Warm the milk and dissolve the yeast in it.
- 2Beat the egg yolks with the sugar and a pinch of salt.
- 3Stir the sour cream into the milk mixture.
- 4Add the yolk mixture and softened butter, then mix well.
- 5Work in the flour to make a soft, slightly sticky dough.
- 6Leave the dough in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- 7Grease the baking pan. Transfer the dough to the pan and let it rise again for 30 minutes.
- 8Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 40 to 50 minutes until the top is deep golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
- 9Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out.
Cook's Note
Warm the milk until it feels just warm to the touch, not hot, before adding the yeast, too much heat will kill it and the dough will not rise.
Best Served With
Fruit preserves
Why This Recipe Works
The combination of sour cream, milk, butter, and yolks creates a rich dough with a soft crumb, while the simple method keeps the loaf approachable.
Make It Yours
- Add raisins to the dough.
- Add citrus zest or vanilla for more aroma.
- Finish the baked loaf with a light sugar glaze.
Leftover Strategy
Wrap well and keep at room temperature for 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Toast slices lightly and serve with Apricot Jam or Plum Jam.
Want to impress guests with this dish? Ask Jeff →
Pairing
Hot black tea ↗ or coffee fits the tender Paska well; a drizzle of honey at the table is the only accent it needs.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases
Keep Cooking
