Paska Bread

Paska stems from a line of bread that's similar to brioche. It’s an enriched yeast bread made with butter, eggs and egg yolks, milk, and sugar. It’s heavy and delightful, the exact thing you want to wake up to in the morning and smear butter all over.

Ingredients

• 3 large egg yolks 
• 3/4 c. whole milk 
• 6 tbsp. melted unsalted butter, cooled, plus more for greasing
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs, divided
• 5 c. (600 g.) all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
• 1/2 c. (100 g.) granulated sugar  
• 2 1/4 tsp. (1/4 oz.) instant yeast 
• 1 tsp. kosher salt

Directions

1. Step 1In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks, milk, butter, vanilla, and 2 whole eggs. In a large bowl, whisk flour, granulated sugar, yeast, and salt. Gradually fold flour mixture into milk mixture until a sticky dough forms.
2. Step 2Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky, 8 to 10 minutes. Grease a large bowl with butter, then transfer dough to bowl. Cover with a towel and set in a warm place to rise until doubled in volume, about 1 hour, 30 minutes. 
3. Step 3Grease a 7"-by-2" springform pan with butter. Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface, pressing to release any air bubbles. Cut a 15-oz. piece of dough, divide into 3 even strands about 1' long, and braid. Pinch ends together.
4. Step 4Shape remaining dough to a ball and transfer to prepared pan. Arrange braid on top of ball; cover with a towel and set in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour. 
5. Step 5Arrange a rack in center of oven; preheat to 375°. In a small bowl, beat egg with a splash of water until blended. Brush dough with egg wash.
6. Step 6Bake bread until just golden brown, about 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350° and continue to bake until browned an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 190°, 60 to 70 minutes. Let cool 30 minutes before slicing.