World Flavors Cookbook

Korovai (Ritual Wedding Bread)

A magnificent, richly decorated ritual bread used in Ukrainian weddings, symbolizing the community's blessing for a prosperous and happy marriage.

Cuisine: Ukraine

Ingredients

• 1kg high-quality wheat flour
• 400ml warm milk
• 50g fresh yeast
• 200g sugar
• 150g butter, melted
• 5 eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• Lemon zest and vanilla
• For decorations: A stiffer dough made of flour and water

Instructions

1. Make the sponge: Mix yeast, sugar, and half the warm milk. Add some flour and let rise for 30 minutes.
2. Mix eggs, salt, remaining milk, zest, and vanilla. Combine with the sponge and remaining flour.
3. Knead in the melted butter. Knead for 15-20 minutes until very smooth. Let rise for 1.5 hours.
4. Shape the dough into a large round loaf. Place in a deep, greased baking pan.
5. Create decorations (birds, flowers, leaves, braids) using the stiffer dough and attach them to the top of the loaf using egg wash.
6. Let the decorated loaf rise for another 45 minutes.
7. Bake at 170°C (340°F) for 50-60 minutes, covering with foil if the top browns too quickly.
8. Let it cool completely in the pan before removing.