Great Grandma’s Babka is a traditional Ukrainian Easter bread that is sweet, rich, and perfect for sharing with family during the holiday season.

Scale

Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it’s about 110°F. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and lemon zest if using. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Knead in raisins or currants if desired.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours until doubled in size.
After rising, punch down the dough, divide it into two portions, and shape each into a 12-inch long rope. Braid the ropes and shape into a circle, pinching the ends to seal.
Place the braided dough in a greased 9-inch round cake pan or bundt pan. Cover and let it rise for another 30 to 45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush the top of the dough with the beaten egg.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. Cover with foil if browning too quickly.
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!

Keywords: Great Grandma's Babka, Ukrainian Easter Bread, sweet bread, traditional recipe