Kulich (Russian Panettone)

Kulich is a sweet yeast bread, similar to panettone, that is topped with lemon glaze and studded with candied fruit, rum-soaked raisins, and almonds.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 399 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 egg white
• 3 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 5 eggs, separated
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar, divided
• 6 cups sifted all-purpose flour, divided
• 0.5 cup slivered almonds
• 0.25 cup rum
• 0.5 cup golden raisins
• 1.5 cups warm milk (105 degrees F (40 degrees C))
• 0.5 cup candied mixed citrus peel

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Turn out dough onto a floured work surface and knead for about 10 minutes, adding more flour as needed. Start rubbing in 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup at a time, once dough seems pliable and soft. Knead for 2 more minutes and form into a ball.

Step 3

Transfer to a clean, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and a clean dish towel. Allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 90 minutes.

Step 4

Make kulich: Combine golden raisins and rum in a small bowl and let soak.

Step 5

Dissolve yeast and 1/2 teaspoon sugar in 1/2 cup warm milk in another small bowl. Let stand until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 10 minutes.

Step 6

Mix remaining 1 cup warm milk and 1 cup flour together in a large bowl until well combined. Add yeast mixture and stir well. Cover and let stand in a warm place for 30 minutes.

Step 7

Beat egg whites and salt in a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.

Step 8

Combine egg yolks and remaining sugar in a medium bowl; beat with an electric mixer until fluffy and pale, about 5 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Drain raisins and add rum to egg mixture. Add to yeast mixture and mix well. Fold in beaten egg whites gently. Add remaining 5 cups flour in small batches, mixing well after each addition, until dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.

Step 9

Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and knead for 2 minutes. Sprinkle some flour over soaked raisins. Scatter dusted raisins, almonds, and mixed peel in a circle around dough. Keep kneading dough to incorporate fruits and nuts evenly.

Step 10

Line 2 large metal coffee tins with parchment paper. Divide dough in half and transfer to the prepared tins. Cover with a clean dish towel. Allow to rise in a warm place until dough has risen to the top, 30 to 60 minutes.

Step 11

Bake kulich in the preheated oven until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, about 1 hour. Carefully tip loaves out of the tins onto a work surface and let cool, about 2 hours.

Step 12

Make icing: Combine confectioners' sugar, egg white, and lemon juice in a small bowl and mix until smooth. Brush over the tops of kulich loaves, allowing to run down the sides.