Placek Swiateczny Polish Dessert Bread Recipes

PLACEK SWIATECZNY (HOLIDAY BREAD), MARK'S

Steps:

• Beat the eggs with the sugar for 5 minutes at high speed. Add to the butter by small portions Add vodka, vanilla, and lemon rind, beating constantly. Add the baking powder and flour, beat 5 more minutes until the batter is thick. Mix the nuts, raisins, orange rind and cornstarch separately, then fold into the batter Bake at 350F for 1 hour in a loaf pan that has been buttered and floured or buttered and sprinkled with bread crumbs.
• Notes: I've tried it both ways, and find the bread crumbs do a better job than flouring the pan.

PLACEK

Steps:

• Heat milk in a small saucepan until it reaches 110 degrees. Remove from heat; stir in yeast and 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar until completely dissolved. Let stand until foamy, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Transfer yeast mixture to a stainless steel bowl. Add 2 cups flour and stir to combine. Spray a piece of parchment paper with cooking spray and cover dough. Cover parchment with a kitchen towel and let rise until doubled in size, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together 1 1/2 sticks butter, 1 1/4 cups sugar, orange zest, eggs, and 2 cups flour.
• Change mixer attachment to a dough hook and add yeast mixture to mixer bowl. Mix together on low. With the mixer running, slowly add 2 cups flour and raisins. Butter a large bowl and add dough. Spray a piece of parchment paper with cooking spray and cover dough. Let rise until doubled, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, use a fork to mix together remaining 2 cups flour, 1 stick butter, and 1 cup sugar until crumbly.
• Butter three 9-by-5-by-3-inch (8-cup) loaf pans and divide dough evenly between them; top each with crumbs. Spray a piece of parchment paper with cooking spray and cover dough; let rise until rounded over the top.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Transfer placek to oven and bake until golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool for 1 hour in pan before removing. Store at room temperature, up to 1 week.

PLACEK SWIATECZNY - POLISH DESSERT BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Beat eggs with sugar using an electric mixer for 5 minutes at high speed.
• Mix chopped nuts, raisins and orange peel with 2 tablespoons of flour.
• Mix remaining flour with baking powder and salt.
• Cream together the butter, lemon peel and vanilla extract until fluffy.
• Beat in vodka, then add egg mixture gradually, beating constantly.
• Add the flour mixture and beat for 5 minutes.
• Fold fruit-nut mixture into the batter.
• Turn into a greased and floured 9x5x3-inch pan or a 1 1/2 quart ring mold.
• Bake at 350 degrees F. for 1 hour.
• Cool cake in pan on wire rack for ten minutes, then turn cake out onto rack and cool completely.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and set aside to mellow for a couple of days.