[ed] Oh, jeez, I'm sorry ... UNP [:D][:D][:D]ORIGINAL: Don Bowen
This looks great John!
My spousal unit would like the recipe...
In the attached zip file. Not to worry, it's way easier than it sounds. The only sticky part is kneading the dough for 3 to 5 minutes till it gets elastic (hell, it starts out elastic). Only thing electric you need is a simple hand blender. Don't use it for the second part of dough prep, though. That really should be done by coating your hands with flour and doing it like Gramdma did. You can lick your spousal unit's fingers, or she can lick yours; either way, it's tasty.
Biggest trick is the baking container. Kulich pans are $100 and you can't find them anywhere. So go buy 2 lbs of coffee in a can. Save the coffee in something else. After you peel off the freshness thingy on top, there's a 1/4 inch rim around the top edge. Get a good sharp can opener and slice out the rim. Poof !! You now got a perfect Kulich pan. Found a great shortening/spray thing to prep it. There's a Pam spray that's mostly good stuff, and no bad stuff, but has flour in its makeup. It's Pam "Baking" spray. My stuff has always released perfectly.
Anyway, the recipe is adapted to fit into the 2 pound coffee can. Couple of other tips and things in the recipe document. It's not a lot of work at all; most of the time is rise-time. Oh, by the way, for the final rise, let it go beyond the top of the can to a kinda mushroom cap looking thing. When you bake it, it will rise/expand a bit more, but you really want the top to mushroom up and out.
[ed] And patience, patience, patience. "Start" peeking after 2 hours. You will see improvement. Then wait a long while and peek again; and then peek again. All things come to those who wait. I have done this and it works. Trust me.
Please enjoy. This is a special bread for a special time. It makes awesome french toast !! Happy Easter !! Christ is Risen !!
John
