Paska Easter Bread Recipe (2024)

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This Paska Easter Bread Recipe is a must-try if you're a fan of soft, sweet bread that’s perfect for Easter. This bread, also known as Ukrainian Easter Bread or Russian Kulich, has a glossy glaze and a beautiful pop of color, thanks to the festive sprinkles topping.

If you're looking for a bread that's the perfect blend of traditional and delicious, then this paska recipe is for you. This Easter bread is a staple at our family's celebrations. Its light, fluffy texture and just the right level of sweetness make it a hit with both the young and old at our Easter gatherings.

If you enjoy this sweet braided Easter bread, you might also like my marble bread recipe, perfect for those who prefer a mix of vanilla and chocolate in every bite. And for a fun twist on paska, try my mini-paska recipe, they're a hit at any Easter celebration and make for great homemade gifts.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Traditional: This recipe is a traditional favorite, passed down through generations, and always a hit at Easter celebrations.
Festive: There's something incredibly festive about this bread, especially when it's decorated with a glossy glaze and colorful sprinkled topping.
Easy to Make: Despite its impressive looks, this recipe is surprisingly easy to make, even for beginners.
Absolutely Delicious: The bread itself is soft, sweet, and utterly delicious, making it the perfect treat for Easter or any time.

Key Ingredients

All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this Paska recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, please check the recipe card at the end of this post.

For the Sweet Bread Dough

All-purpose flour:We’ll be using regular all-purpose flour to make this bread. We'll add the rest of the mixed ingredients as one of the last steps in this recipe.
Yeast:You’ll need active dry yeast to make this sweet yeast bread. It’s the traditional leavening agent used to make Easter bread. We’ll use 1 tablespoon of dry yeast.
Milk:We’ll be using warm milk as the base liquid in this recipe to activate the yeast. You’ll need 1 ½ cup of whole milk to make the bread.
Sugar:This helps to activate the yeast as the yeast will have something to eat. It also helps to make the bread softer as some of the liquid (milk in our case) will be absorbed by it and it slows down the formation of gluten strands.
Eggs:Eggs add an additional layer of flavor and richness to this beautiful bread.
Unsalted butter:Butter adds a delicious texture and feel to this Easter bread. We’ll be using melted and cooled unsalted butter in this recipe. Make sure to go for unsalted butter, rather than the regular salted kind so you can control the flavor. Remember, this is a slightly sweet bread and salted butter will throw off the flavor.
Salt:We’ll only need ½ teaspoon of salt to balance everything out.
Vanilla and almond extract:A teaspoon of vanilla extract brings out all the layers and gives a very subtle vanilla flavor to the bread.
Raisins:We’ll be using golden (yellow) raisins for this recipe. I love raisins and I find that they add a beautiful, sour flavor to this sweet bread. In case you don’t like raisins, you can use poppy seeds instead.
Milk: This will add a touch of richness to our paska dough, making it even more tender and flavorful.
Powder Sugar: Used in both the dough and the glaze, this will sweeten our paska and give it a beautiful, festive look.
Lemon Juice: This will cut through the sweetness of the bread and the glaze, giving our paska a nice, balanced flavor.
Sprinkles: These will add a fun pop of color and a bit of crunch to our paska, making it perfect for Easter celebrations.

Please try another version of paska glaze the cooked method.

How to Make Paska Easter Bread Recipe Dough

Making this incredible paska is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:

For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.

Prepare the Dough: Use the same steps as you would for the sweet braided Easter bread with raisins to prepare the dough. Once the dough has risen, remove it from the plate onto a large oiled cutting board.

Split the Dough: Next, split the dough into 3-4 pieces, depending on the size of your pots. If you're using pots that are 6 inches wide and 3 inches deep, you'll need to divide the dough into 4 pieces.

Oil and Let it Rise: Place the dough into oiled pots. Let it rise for 45 minutes in a warm oven. You can preheat the oven to 110 F and then turn it off. After the bread rises, remove it from the oven.

Bake the Bread: Heat the oven to 350 F. Bake all the bread in one oven for 40-45 minutes. Keep an eye on them as the baking time can vary depending on your oven. If the top gets too dark, cover the bread with foil and continue baking.

Make the Glaze: While your bread is baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, mix milk and powdered sugar for a few minutes. Then, add freshly squeezed lemon juice. Beat the mixture for another minute. Cover the glaze and set it aside until you're ready to use it.

Cool and Glaze: Once the bread is baked, cool it in the pots for 5 minutes. Then, remove the bread from the pots and cool for another 5 minutes. Glaze one paska at a time and sprinkle with colorful sprinkles.

Tips for Making the Best Paska

Choose the Right Dough: For a delicious paska, use the sweet braised Easter bread dough recipe. This dough is soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for making traditional Ukrainian Easter bread.
Allow the Dough to Rise Properly: After preparing the dough, let it rise for the recommended time. This helps the bread to develop a good texture and enhances its flavor.
Make Use of a Warm Oven: For the dough to rise in the pots, place them in a warm oven. Preheat the oven to 110 F and then turn it off. This provides the perfect environment for the dough to rise.
Pay Attention to Glazing and Sprinkling: After baking, cool the bread for a few minutes, then glaze and sprinkle with colorful sprinklers. The glaze dries fast, so it's important to glaze and sprinkle one paska at a time to ensure the sprinklers stick.

Serving Suggestions

Looking for a sweet breakfast treat? Serve this paska bread toasted with a generous spread of butter. The warm bread and creamy butter make for a perfect start to your day.
For a festive dessert, try serving this Ukrainian Easter bread with a side of fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream. The light, sweet flavor of the bread pairs perfectly with the tartness of the berries and the smoothness of the cream.
Want a unique snack for your afternoon tea? This paska bread also goes well with a cup of tea. The subtle sweetness of the bread compliments the bitterness of the tea, making it a perfect pair for your tea time.

Recipe Variation Ideas

This delicious paska recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you're looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:

Zesty: If you're a fan of citrusy flavors, this variation is for you. Simply add the zest of one lemon to the glaze. The tangy lemon flavor will compliment the sweet, rich flavor of the paska, making it a perfect choice for a refreshing dessert.
Dried Fruit: For those who love a bit of extra sweetness and chewiness, try adding a half cup of mixed dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, and apricots to the dough.
Braided Paska: If you want to make your paska visually stunning, try making a braided version. Instead of placing the dough in pots, braid the dough and place it on a baking sheet. My braided sweet bread recipe shows you how to do this.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is paska and what is its significance?

Paska is a traditional Ukrainian Easter bread that is rich in flavor and symbolism. It is a central part of Ukrainian and Russian Easter celebrations and symbolizes the end of Lent and the resurrection of Christ. The bread is often blessed by a priest before being eaten on Easter Sunday.

How can I tell when the paska is done baking?

You can tell that the paska is done baking by inserting a toothpick into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean, the paska is ready. Plus, the bread should be golden brown on the outside and should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Can I use bottled lemon juice for the glaze instead of fresh lemon juice?

While fresh lemon juice is always the best option for flavor, you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch. Just be aware that the flavor of the glaze may not be as bright and fresh as when using fresh lemon juice.

Why does the glaze dry quickly and how can I prevent this?

The glaze dries quickly due to the powdered sugar content. To prevent this, glaze and sprinkle each paska one at a time. This allows the sprinklers to stick before the glaze dries.

Can I use different types of sprinkling or toppings for the paska?

Absolutely! While the recipe calls for colorful sprinklers, you can use any type of sprinkling or topping you prefer. Nuts, candied fruits, or even a simple dust of powdered sugar would all be delicious alternatives.

How to Store Leftovers

Storing: Once your paska has cooled completely, you can store it at room temperature, covered with a clean tea towel or in an airtight container. It will keep well for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Paska freezes beautifully. Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a resealable freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Thaw: To thaw frozen paska, simply place it in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, you can warm it in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes to restore its fresh-baked flavor and texture.
Reheating Instructions: If you'd like to enjoy your paska warm, simply place a slice in the toaster or oven and heat it until it's warm and fragrant.

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Classic Sweet Bread Recipe (Perfect for Christmas + Easter)
Classic Ukrainian Paska Easter Bread (Cupcake-Sized Paska!)
Soft and Fluffy Sweet Marbled Bread Recipe (Easy to Make!)

See all Easter recipes.

Recipe Card