Polish Chalka: Amazing 1-Hour Sweet Bread
A soft, slightly sweet braided bread with a golden crust, Polish Chałka is a traditional loaf perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Made with simple ingredients, it’s tender, rich, and stunning on any table.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Polish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: 4 cups
- Instant Yeast: 2 1/4 teaspoons
- Warm Milk: 1 cup
- Granulated Sugar: 1/4 cup
- Butter (softened): 1/4 cup
- Eggs: 2 large
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Warm Water: 1/4 cup
- Egg Yolk (for egg wash): 1
- Poppy Seeds or Streusel (optional): for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: No need to preheat the oven yet, but prep a clean workspace and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit until foamy, about 5–10 minutes. Add warm milk, eggs, softened butter, and salt. Stir in flour one cup at a time until a soft dough forms.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- Assemble the Dish: Punch down the dough and divide into three or four equal parts. Roll each into ropes. Braid loosely, then transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise another 30–45 minutes.
- Cook to Perfection: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the loaf with beaten egg yolk and sprinkle with poppy seeds or streusel if using.
- Finishing Touches: Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve slightly warm with butter and jam, or use slices for French toast the next day.
Notes
- Use lukewarm liquids to avoid killing the yeast.
- Don’t add too much flour — the dough should be soft and slightly tacky.
- Oil your hands to make braiding smoother.
- Brush with egg wash twice for extra shine and color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10th of loaf)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: N/A
- Cholesterol: N/A
Find it online: https://tastysizzle.com/polish-chalka-recipe/