Jidáše is a sweet bread traditionally baked during Easter time in the Czech Republic. It is a token recipe that is made special by the fact that in the past, it was only allowed to be baked on one day out of the year. This day varied, depending on the region—it was either baked on Holy Thursday or Good Friday. Jidáše can be formed into several shapes, although they are most frequently formed into spirals or knots; this is because of the religious significance behind the bread. After baking, the jidáše are coated with honey which adds a delicious sticky glaze. Since it is tradition to bake this bread and enjoy it with loved ones around the holidays, everlasting memories are always made!

Ingredients:

4 cups flour 

2 cups warm milk

2 teaspoons active dry yeast 

⅔ stick butter, melted and cooled

1 egg yolk

⅓ cup granulated sugar 

2 teaspoons salt

1 whole egg for egg wash

Honey, to glaze jidáše after baking

Instructions:

-Put the flour into the bowl and make a hole in the center. Pour in 1 cup of milk, add ½ teaspoon of sugar, and add the yeast into the center of the bowl. Take a spoon and stir the flour in from the sides, until it is all mixed together. If it is still very dry, add a splash or two of milk and stir again. Cover the bowl with a towel and let it rise for 30 minutes.

-Melt the butter without letting it get too hot. Add the melted butter to the bowl, then add the yolk, a pinch of salt, and the rest of the milk and sugar.

-Stir everything together with a wooden spoon, then knead the mixture until it becomes smooth and stiff and is no longer sticky. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 minutes. Cover and let the dough rise for another 30 minutes.

-Split the dough into about 2½ oz pieces. Roll a piece of dough about 10 inches long and ⅔ inches thick and form it into a small spiral. Flatten the end of the dough and coil it under the swirl so the jidáše does not unravel when baking. Repeat this process until there is no more dough left.

-Put the finished jidáše on a tray laid with baking paper, cover them with a clean towel, and let rise for 45 minutes.

-Heat the oven to 350°F.

-Whisk the egg in a separate bowl and glaze the jidáše with it.

-Bake for 15 minutes until they turn golden brown.

-Melt the honey and glaze the jidáše right after taking them out of the oven. Let cool and enjoy!

This recipe also appears in our April 2023 print edition.