Traditional Easter bread

Traditional Easter Cheese and Raisin Pastry: A Festive Recipe

Pastry is an emblematic dessert lovingly prepared in many households, especially during the Easter holidays. This cheese and raisin pastry recipe will not only delight you with its flavors but will also bring a touch of nostalgia, reminding you of festive meals from the past. If you are ready to put your skills to the test, to start braiding and creating, I invite you to carefully follow the steps below.

Preparation Time
- Active time: 1 hour
- Rising time: 1 hour
- Baking time: 1 hour
- Total time: 2 hours
- Number of servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

For the dough
- 300 g type 000 cake flour
- 2 egg yolks
- 75 g melted butter
- 60 g sugar
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 10 g dry yeast
- 10 g extra flour
- 10 g extra sugar
- 100 ml lukewarm milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 60 g cottage cheese
- 50 g Greek yogurt (at room temperature)
- A pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon Kamis Dessert grinder

For the filling
- 3 eggs
- 150 g cottage cheese (drained)
- 3 strands of saffron melted in 30 g melted butter
- 60 g raisins soaked in 100 ml of cherry liqueur (then drained)
- 50 g Greek yogurt
- 40 g flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 120 g sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
- 1 egg yolk (for glazing)
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- 2 tablespoons honey (for glazing)

Preparing the dough

1. Preparing the ingredients: Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. This will help activate the yeast and make the dough fluffier.

2. Activating the yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the dry yeast in the lukewarm milk, adding the extra sugar. Let the mixture sit for 10-12 minutes until a foam forms on top.

3. Mixing the ingredients: In a food processor, add the cake flour, salt, egg yolks, vanilla extract, melted butter, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt. Pour in the activated yeast mixture and mix at medium speed for 3-5 minutes until the dough becomes fluffy and elastic.

4. Rising: Transfer the dough to a bowl greased with a little oil, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in volume (about 1 hour).

Preparing the filling

5. Preparing the filling: While the dough is rising, wash the food processor bowl and add the 3 eggs. Add the sugar and melted butter with saffron, then add the cottage cheese, drained raisins, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, orange zest, cinnamon, cardamom, and a pinch of salt.

6. Finalizing the filling: Mix all the ingredients well, then add the flour, homogenizing the composition.

Assembling the pastry

7. Preparing the dough for shaping: Once the dough has risen, divide it into three parts: 40% for the base of the pastry, 55% for the braided crown, and 5% for the cross on top.

8. Forming the base: Roll out the piece of dough for the base of the pastry into a sheet that covers the bottom of a 20 cm detachable-bottom pan, greased with butter and sprinkled with flour.

9. Braiding the crown: Roll out the other two pieces of dough into long strips, then braid them into three. The secret to a beautiful braid is to bring the edges over the middle, repeating this process until you obtain a crown. Place the crown over the pastry base, keeping the leftover dough for the cross.

10. Forming the cross: From the remaining dough, form a cross and set it aside, covered with a towel, to prevent it from drying out.

Baking

11. Preparing for baking: Beat an egg yolk with a tablespoon of cold water and brush the pastry. Fill the center with the prepared filling.

12. Baking: Preheat the oven to 150°C. Place the pastry in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Then, take it out of the oven, place the cross on top, and brush it again with egg yolk. Bake for another 35 minutes until the pastry turns golden.

13. Finalizing: Remove the pastry from the oven and brush it well with honey, letting it cool completely before cutting.

Chef's tip

For an extra flavor, you can add some ground nuts or almonds to the filling. Also, for a more intense taste, use fresh, high-quality cottage cheese. If you enjoy stronger flavors, you can replace the orange zest with lemon zest.

Serving and combinations

The pastry is usually served at festive meals but can also be enjoyed as a simple dessert alongside a cup of coffee or tea. It also pairs wonderfully with a glass of sweet wine or a fruit compote.

Nutritional values

A serving of pastry contains approximately 350 calories, being a good source of protein due to the cottage cheese and eggs. Additionally, Greek yogurt adds a boost of calcium and probiotics, beneficial for digestion.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use another type of flour?
Yes, you can experiment with whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour, but you may need to adjust the liquid proportions.

2. How can I store the pastry?
The pastry stores well at room temperature for a few days, but it can be refrigerated for a longer duration.

3. What do I do if the filling is too soft?
If the filling seems too soft, you can add a little extra flour, mixing well until it reaches the desired consistency.

Conclusion

Preparing this traditional cheese and raisin pastry recipe is not just a culinary process but also an activity filled with joy and memories. Whether you make it for the holidays or simply to indulge yourself, this delicacy will bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. So put on your apron and enjoy cooking!