Russian Kulich Bread Recipe

Russian kulich bread is a traditional Easter bread that is similar to Italian panettone or Polish babka. It is a sweet, enriched bread that is usually flavored with dried fruit, nuts, and spices, and is often baked in a cylindrical shape and topped with icing or sprinkles.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup chopped candied orange peel
• 1/4 cup chopped candied lemon peel
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1/2 cup warm milk (110-115°F)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 4-5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg yolk, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
• Sliced almonds and sprinkles, for topping

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the raisins, golden raisins, cranberries, candied orange peel, and candied lemon peel. Pour the brandy over the fruit mixture and let it soak for at least 30 minutes.
2. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the sugar and yeast in the warm milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast is foamy.
3. Add the eggs, butter, salt, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom to the bowl with the yeast mixture. Mix until well combined.
4. Gradually add 4 cups of flour to the bowl, stirring until a soft dough forms. If the dough is still sticky, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it is smooth and elastic.
5. Drain the soaked fruit mixture and add it to the dough, kneading until it is evenly distributed.
6. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
7. Preheat your Ninja Foodi on the bake function to 350°F.
8. Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a floured surface. Knead it for a few minutes until it is smooth and pliable.
9. Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each one into a cylindrical loaf. Place the loaves into greased 8-inch cake pans.
10. Brush the tops of the loaves with the egg yolk mixture and sprinkle with sliced almonds and sprinkles.
11. Bake the loaves in the preheated Ninja Foodi for 30-35 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
12. Remove the loaves from the pans and let them cool on a wire rack.
13. Once the loaves are cool, you can top them with icing or glaze if desired.