Kolac Bread

Serbian Orthodox families celebrate the day their family was baptized.  This day is a Holy Day, called “Krsna Slava” or Patron Saint Day.  To prepare for your Krsna Slava you make a bread, “Kolac” that is blessed by the priest and then shared with family, kumovi and friends.  

This is the the recipe that my Baba used to make Kolac for Krsna Slava. 

Ingredients:
½ c. warm milk
1 package yeast
1 Tablespoon sugar
½ c. four 

Directions:  
Mix starter ingredients in a bowl and place in a warm area.

Ingredients:
3 egg yolks
6 cups flour
½ oil
1½ warm milk
½c. sugar
½ Tablespoon salt
½ teaspoon lemon rind
½ cup vanilla extract

Directions:
When starter is ready and bubbly, add it to the mixing bowl of a stand mixer.  Use the dough hook and mix the dough until it is firm and shiny.

Oil a large bowl.  Take the dough from the mixing bowl and form into a large ball.  Place the dough into the well oiled bowl and cover it with a kitchen towel.  Place in a warm area for 2 hours, or until the dough doubles in size. 

Once doubled, place the dough on a cutting board and divide it into 4 equal portions.  Roll 3 of the portions into long pieces that are as thick as your thumb.  Make a dough braid out of the the 3 pieces. 
Oil a deep pot on the sides and bottom.  Place the one remaining portion of dough on the bottom of the pot.  Place the dough braid around it.  Let it rise for ½ hour.  Brush it with egg yolk.

Decorations:
1 cup flour 
½ cup water
Roll this dough on a well floured surface. Create a cross, birds or flowers. 

Directions:
Bake at 350° for 1 hour. The bread should be golden brown.  Reduce the temp to 325 degrees and bake for another 15-20 minutes.  Take it out of the oven and leave in the port for 10 minutes.  Carefully remove from pot and let cool on a towel.

Recipe adapted from: Duska Cvejic