Slavski Kolač Славски колач (Sweet Bread)

This is a sweet bread, usually baked with a cross or other religious symbol made out of dough on top. It is served during Slava, a special day for feasting and sharing with friends. (Slava is a religious time to commemorate the day that each Serbian family’s ancestors became Christians in the Sixth Century. Each family has a patron saint.)

Slavski Kolač Славски колач (Sweet Bread)

• 2 cakes yeast
• ¼ cup lukewarm water
• ¼ cup shortening
• ½ cup sugar
• 5 cups sifted flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 1 cup milk (scalded)
• 1 tsp. grated lemon rind
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 egg yolk (slightly beaten)

1. Soften yeast in warm water.
2. Add shortening, sugar, and salt to scalded milk.
3. Add yeast, eggs, lemon rind and juice, and enough flour to make a stiff batter.
4. Beat well.
5. Add more flour to make a soft dough. Knead until smooth.
6. Place in a greased bowl; cover and let rise until doubled in bulk.
7. Punch down.
8. Put in greased 10″ tube pan and let rise again until doubled in bulk.
9. Brush with beaten egg yolk.
10. Bake at 375° for 45 minutes until the top is dark brown.