Kalács is the traditional accompaniment for the Christmas and Easter holidays. My mom made it without a stand mixer using a wooden spoon and bowl. It explains how my 5 foot nothing mom could wield the wood spoon like a weapon! I’ve adjusted this recipe to make sure there were plenty of raisins to please my wife. Also, you can easily make a 1/2 recipe for a smaller loaf.

3 Cups of milk, luke warm

8 Cups of flour

1 Cup confectioners sugar

2 Teaspoons white sugar

1 Teaspoon salt

1 Whole egg

1 egg yolk

3 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract.

1 cup of raisins

2 Tablespoons Cinnamon Sugar.

1 Packet Yeast

1 Stick butter melted

Parchment paper

Combine the milk, white sugar, and yeast and allow the yeast to bloom, about 20 minutes. Add the vanilla, melted butter and egg yolk. Beat to incorporate.

In a separate bowl, combine the raisins and cinnamon sugar. Work with your fingers to insure the raisins are separated and coated with the cinnamon sugar.

Sift the flour, salt, and confectioner’s sugar together. Add the raisins/

Using a dough hook on a stand mixer combine the wet and dry ingredients together slowing pouring the wet ingredients. Knead until the dough pulls away from the side of the mixing bowl. You might need to add more flour or milk to get the desired consistency.

Move the dough to a well floured area and knead the dough by hand folding about 8 – 10 times.  Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl and cover with a tea towel. Move to a warm place and allow to rise until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.

Once the dough rises, move on to a floured surface. Divide dough into 3 equal pieces. Using your hands, roll out each of the pieces of dough into a stick about 18 inches long.  On a piece of parchment paper, braid the 3 sticks together into a loaf. Use the parchment paper to lift the loaf and transfer to a baking pan. Move to a warm spot to rise again for an hour.

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

Beat the leftover egg white and a whole egg together. Brush on the outside of the loaf. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 40 minutes. When done, the bread will sound hollow when tapped with a finger.

Allow to cool before cutting……..waiting will be HARD!