Easter bread

Pasca is a traditional dessert, full of history and symbolism, often associated with Easter celebrations. With a soft texture and a sweet taste, it combines the delicate flavors of cheese with raisins and essences, and has a distinctive appearance thanks to its shape. It is a dessert that invites convivial moments, bringing family and friends together around the table. Let's discover together how to prepare this delicious recipe step by step!

Total cooking time: 3 hours
Preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients:

For the dough:
- 500 g flour
- 4 eggs
- 150 g sugar
- 250 ml milk
- 100 g butter
- 25 g fresh yeast
- 1 essence of rum
- 1 vanilla essence
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- 100 g raisins (white and black)
- 100 ml oil
- a pinch of salt

For the filling
- 400 g sweet cottage cheese
- 8 tablespoons sugar
- Candied fruit (optional)
- 1 vanilla essence
- 1 essence of rum
- 4 eggs

Preparing the Easter:

1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, mix 25 g of fresh yeast with a teaspoon of sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of lukewarm milk. Mix well until a smooth paste is obtained. Sprrinkle a dusting of flour over the top and leave to rise for 15-20 minutes in a warm place away from draughts.

2. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, sift 500 g of flour and add a pinch of salt. In a saucepan, boil 250 ml of milk with 150 g of sugar, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. When the milk is hot, gradually pour it over the flour, stirring with a spatula or with your hands until a homogeneous dough is obtained.

3. Adding the ingredients: Once the dough has cooled slightly, add the beaten eggs, grated lemon zest, rum and vanilla essences and the raisins, which have been soaked in warm water for 10 minutes. Knead the dough well, gradually adding the melted (but not hot) butter and, if necessary, a little oil, until the dough is elastic and no longer sticks to your hands.

4. Rising the dough: Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise for an hour in a warm place until doubled in volume.

5. Prepare the filling: In another bowl, mix the sweet cottage cheese with 8 tablespoons of sugar, the beaten eggs, the vanilla and rum essences, and, optionally, the candied fruit. We ensure a homogeneous composition that will add an unmistakable flavor to our Easter.

6. Forming the Easter: Once the dough has risen, we take a part of it (about a third) and roll out a thick round sheet, which will form the base of the Easter. This is placed in a round tray, greased with margarine or lined with baking paper. Divide the remaining dough into three equal parts and fold them together to form a wreath, which sits on top of the filling.

7. Baking: Place a yena bowl upside down in the center of the mold to create space for the filling. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven at 180°C and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the tray, remove the bowl and pour the cheese mixture in the middle. Brush the edges with egg yolk and sprinkle with toasted sugar.

8. Finalizing the baking: Bake in the oven for another 30 minutes, until the Pasca is golden and nicely browned. When done, leave to cool slightly before serving.

Practical tips:
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature to get an even dough.
- If you want an even more complex flavor, you can add some ground walnuts or almonds to the cheese mixture.
- Pasca can be served plain or with a berry sauce, which will add a touch of freshness.

Nutritional values (per portion, estimated):
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 12 g
- Fat: 15 g
- Carbohydrate: 45 g

Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use another type of cheese? Yes, you can experiment with ricotta or mascarpone cheese for a different texture.
- How can I store Pasca? It is recommended to refrigerate, covered, and can be eaten for up to 3 days.
- Can I make Pasca gluten-free? You can replace the wheat flour with a gluten-free flour, but make sure you follow the correct proportions.

Serving and combinations:
Pasca can be enjoyed plain, but goes great with a glass of sweet wine or flavored tea. Try serving it with a dollop of cream or a melted chocolate sauce for added refinement.

This Pasca recipe is not just a simple dessert recipe, but a true tradition full of love. With every bite, you will bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. So let's enjoy this delicacy together! Enjoy!

 Ingredients: Dough: 500g flour, 4 eggs, 150g sugar, 250ml milk, 100g butter, 25g yeast, rum essence, vanilla essence, grated lemon peel, white and black raisins, a cup of oil, a pinch of salt. Filling: 400g sweet cottage cheese, 8 tablespoons sugar, candied fruits, vanilla, rum essence, 4 eggs.