Ukrainian Easter Bread - Paska

In the bread machine pan.

Makes 1 loaf or 2 small loaves.

This recipe is from my Ukrainian friend - Hannah. My grandmother used to make this bread usually in a tall pan so it looked like a mushroom.  I think she put golden raisins in it as well. The recipe is super easy if you have a bread machine, but you can also use the dough setting, take it out and then shape it into a pan, let it rise and bake it. It's not too sweet and has a lovely orange flavor that intensifies the second day.

Ingredients: 

1 cup of milk (microwave for 1 1/2 minutes and allow to cool)
2 egg yolks, beaten
2 TBS softened butter
1/3 cup of sugar, plus 1 TBS
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups of flour
zest of one orange or one lemon
2 1/2 tsp of yeast or 1 package of yeast

Directions for Bread Machine:

Following directions for your machine. Use "Sweet Dough" setting.
Add the ingredients in the order listed above.
It takes about 3 hours from start to finish.

If you want to use the dough setting, remove the bread when processed and put the dough into a greased pan to rise.  Preheat the oven to 350F and bake for 30-40 minutes.
Brush the top with a beaten egg for the last 10 minutes of baking.  Remove from the pan and cool on a rack before slicing.

If you like this bread toasted, use a 'light' setting on the toaster as bread with sugar in it burns easily.