Hungarian Braided White Bread Recipes

KALACS (HUNGARIAN SWEET BREAD)

Steps:

• Make a sponge dough from the 1 cup warm milk, 2 teaspoons dry yeast, 1 cup flour and 1 teaspoon sugar.
• Work together with hands and let rise.
• Mix in other ingredients and work until dough separates from hands and board.
• Let dough rise again until double its size.
• Place in two greased pans; brush top with beaten egg.
• Place in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• After removing from oven, cover with damp towel and dry towel until cool. This will make a soft crust.
• Makes 2 pans.

KALACS (HUNGARIAN CINNAMON SWIRL BREAD)

Steps:

• Place flour, white sugar, salt, and yeast into the bowl of a stand mixer. In a bowl, whisk together egg, melted butter, warm milk, and vanilla extract; pour into the flour mixture. Using dough hook attachment, mix on low until the flour is moistened and a dough forms, then increase speed to medium, and continue kneading until smooth and elastic, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Place dough into a greased bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch down dough, turn out onto a floured work surface, and divide into 2 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 1/3 inch thick rectangle. Brush each square with melted butter. Mix together cinnamon and brown sugar in a small bowl, then sprinkle evenly over the two rectangles.
• Roll each firmly into a log, pinch the ends closed, and tuck them underneath. Place each into a greased, glass loaf pan. Cover, and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Brush the tops of the loaves with melted butter, then bake in preheated oven until loaves are golden brown, and sound hollow when tapped, about 30 minutes.