Easter Bread

Easter bread, called Paska, is traditionally eaten in Ukraine during Easter holidays. Interesting that the recipe for it is similar to Italian Panettone, which is baked in Italy for Christmas. The tradition of eating Easter bread comes from religious reasons - Great Lent. Paska is made of all ingredients that are forbidden during the Lent and people break the fast by eating Easter bread loaded with butter, eggs, milk and sugar. Easter bread can be bought anywhere during the holidays, but there is something mysterious and magical in family tradition of baking Easter bread. The recipe goes from mother to daughter and each family has its own secrets.

I will be honest with you. In our family the right of baking Easter bread still belongs to my mother, because she is the one who keeps the family together. But all the fun belong to me, because I'm responsible for decorating part! Traditionally Paska is decorated with royal icing and sprinkles on the top. However lately in bakeries there are a lot of fancy variations which involve chocolate frosting, ganache, macaroons ans meringues, that I used last year. This time I went for less effortless, though not less beautiful dried fruits and nuts.

And to be totally honest, I wasn't planning to make a blog post out of it. Because I post only those recipes that I make by myself. But as long as I had brought home a huge bouquet of lilac the other day, I just couldn't resist not to use the opportunity.  

Gingerbread Men

Hello guys! First things first. I want to wish you guys happy winter holidays! 

It's been a while. A long long long while. I am so sorry for not updating, maybe some other time, when I feel the right words, I will share my thoughts on this matter. But not today! Because it is holidays and no one is interested in lyrical digressions. And honestly, after half a year break I have a feeling like I am writing a post for a first time - I don't know where to start at, I don't have the right words and I feel like I am a first-former without knowing an alphabet.

I haven't been baking lately except for my date sweetened oatmeal cookies, that became a must on my kitchen, and occasionally some birthday cakes for my relatives. And to be honest, I wasn't planning Christmas baking this year. But as it turned out, I couldn't imagine winter holidays without baking. It just didn't feel right! I literally had an urge to bake, bake, bake. 

What does smell like Christmas? Bingo! Gingerbread Man. I've been baking gingerbread every Christmas. And it even never occurred to me that I can share the recipe, because it seems that everyone knows it, even children. But these cute little gingerbread men are so good! The recipe always works well, it is easy and fun to make and the smell...they smell like Christmas!

Star Anise, Cardamom & Cinnamon Buns

These buns were an experiment that turned out to be a revolution of flavours! I was planing for a long time to bake classic cinnamon rolls. But then one morning has changed my plans. We went to the Christmas fair and by pure accident (don't believe it!))) found ourselves by the desk with spices. There were all spices I know and even more of those that are still unfamiliar. Do I have to tell you what happened next? ;) I tried to keep myself in hand (and I did pretty well!), however I left the fair very cheered up . And the reason for that wasn't just the best mulled wine I have ever had that day (shh.... it might)).

Later that day when I got home, I was beyond excited to have a package of spices in my hands and the idea of using them in my head. This is how the recipe was born. For clarity, all of the buns were eaten during 1,5 days!  I think the fact speaks for itself . I wish I could put the smell of anise into photos! The technology hasn't gotten that far, so you have an excuse to make the buns and fill with this incredible smell your kitchen.