Easter bread (basket and heart)

Delicious cheese-filled pasca is a traditional dessert that combines the enticing flavors of the holidays with slightly fluffy and crunchy textures. This recipe will not only delight you with its taste but also provide an opportunity to create a dessert that will impress the whole family. Pasca can be associated with moments of joy and celebration, having a rich history among many cultures, often prepared for Easter celebrations. Here’s how to make it step by step.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 45-60 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 15-90 minutes
Servings: 10-12 servings

Ingredients:

For the dough:
- 800 g flour
- 50 g fresh yeast
- 200-250 g ground walnuts
- 2 eggs + 1 yolk
- 200 ml lukewarm milk
- 100 g butter (melted)
- 50 g oil
- 200 g sugar
- 1 teaspoon rum essence
- Zest of 1 lemon

For the filling:
- 300 g fresh cheese
- 150 g sugar
- 60 g raisins
- 3 tablespoons semolina
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon rum essence
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons watermelon jam

Step by step:

1. Preparing the yeast.
Start by preparing the yeast. In a small bowl, combine a few tablespoons of lukewarm milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and fresh yeast. Add 2 tablespoons of flour and mix well. Cover with a towel and let it rise for about 15-20 minutes until it becomes frothy. This step is essential to activate the yeast, so don’t skip it!

2. Preparing the dough.
In a large bowl, heat the remaining milk. Add the sugar, flavors (rum essence and lemon zest), and eggs, gently whisking until combined. Sift the flour into another bowl and add the yeast mixture, then pour in the milk mixture. Knead the dough well, gradually adding the melted butter and oil.

3. Incorporating the walnuts.
Once the dough is well kneaded, add the ground walnuts. Continue kneading until all ingredients are well integrated. The dough should be elastic and slightly sticky. Let it rise in a bowl covered with plastic wrap in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in volume.

4. Shaping the dough.
After the dough has risen, divide it into two parts: one larger and one smaller. The color and texture of the dough can be customized by adding a tablespoon of cocoa to the larger piece, creating a nice contrast of colors. Roll out a third of the colored dough and line a stainless steel bowl, trimming the excess.

5. Forming the basket.
Create strips from the remaining dough and place them on the bowl, leaving space between them to form a basket. Use thicker strips for legs and braid a handle from the remaining dough. For a decorative touch, you can form flowers and leaves from the white dough, even if they don’t turn out perfect, they will add a rustic charm.

6. Preparing the filling.
In another bowl, mix all the filling ingredients: fresh cheese, sugar, raisins, semolina, eggs, flavors, and watermelon jam. Ensure the mixture is smooth and all ingredients are well incorporated.

7. Filling and baking.
Once the basket is formed and has risen again, fill it with the cheese filling. It’s recommended to let the basket cool slightly before filling it to avoid liquefying the filling. Bake the pasca in a preheated oven at 180°C for 45-60 minutes or until golden and baked. Check with a toothpick if it’s done – if it comes out clean, the pasca is perfectly baked.

8. Serving.
Allow the pasca to cool completely before cutting. It can be served plain or dusted with powdered sugar on top. It’s delicious with a fruit sauce or alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Helpful tips:
- Yeast care: Use lukewarm milk, but not hot, as excessive heat can kill the yeast.
- Oil and butter: Oil helps retain moisture in the dough, while butter adds a rich flavor. You can experiment with different types of oil (olive, coconut) to change the flavor.
- Variations: You can add candied fruits (like cherries or apricots) to the filling or replace walnuts with almonds for a different taste.

Nutritional benefits.
This pasca is not only delicious but also nutritious. Fresh cheese provides protein, while walnuts add healthy fats and fiber. Additionally, eggs and milk contribute to calcium intake, important for bone health.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use cottage cheese instead of fresh cheese? Yes, cottage cheese can be an excellent alternative, but make sure it’s well drained.
- How can I keep the pasca fresh? You can store it in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it.
- Can it be prepared in advance? Yes, you can prepare the pasca a day before serving. In fact, the flavors will become even more intense after sitting overnight.

With this cheese-filled pasca recipe, you will bring a touch of culinary traditions into your home, offering all your loved ones a dessert that will remain in their memories. Whether you choose to make it for a special occasion or simply to treat yourself, pasca will add an extra joy to every meal. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: Dough ingredients: 800g flour, 50g yeast, 200-250g ground walnuts, 2 eggs and 1 yolk, 200ml milk, 100g butter, 50g oil, 200g sugar, rum, lemon zest. Filling: 300g fresh cheese, 150g sugar, 60g raisins, 3 tablespoons semolina, 2 eggs, rum, vanilla, lemon zest, raisins, 2 tablespoons watermelon jam.

 Tags:  easter cake cheese