Citrus Bliss Paska Bread

Amy Hand

Amy Hand

Amy worked as the head pastry chef at multiple restaurants in South Africa. She now shares her professional insights about cooking and kitchen tools here at The Skillful Cook.

This Paska bread allows you to try a Ukrainian classic in your own home. It's rich, buttery and so light.
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This citrus bliss Paska bread is a fresh take on a Ukrainian classic that is perfect for serving at an Easter celebration.

Paska bread is a traditional bread from Ukraine but it is also served in various eastern European countries like Georgia and Romania. This enriched bread is usually served at Easter, in fact, Paska actually translates to “Easter” in English. 

This citrus bliss Paska bread is a fresh take on a Ukrainian classic

When we say the bread is enriched, we mean that it contains butter, sugar, eggs, and milk that make it taste sweet and buttery.

In our version, we have added a kick of citrus in the dough with lemon and orange zest and orange blossom water to add freshness to this rich bread. The whole thing is then dressed in a lemon glaze for an extra sweet lemony flavor.

This citrus Paska bread is the perfect addition to an Easter spread

Why you will love this Paska bread recipe…

  • Super citrusy- The citrus zest, orange blossom water, and lemon glaze add a sparkling zing to the sweet bread.
  • Subtle floral flavor- The orange blossom water has a hint of floral flavor.
  • Sweet glaze- The lemon glaze adds a sweet lemony flavor but it also makes the bread look beautiful.
  • Perfect for celebrating- Especially at an Easter family gathering.
  • Test your bread-making skills- If you’ve nailed regular bread then this enriched bread is the perfect challenge to take your skills to the next level.
Why you will love this Paska bread recipe
Paska Bread recipe

Citrus Bliss Paska Easter Bread

This Paska bread allows you to try a Ukrainian classic in your own home. It's rich, buttery and so light.
Rate this recipe!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Rise Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine Ukranian
Servings 8
Calories 513 kcal

Equipment

  • Round springform cake pan

Ingredients
  

Dough:

  • 1 cup whole milk, warmed (110°F)
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp orange blossom water (or vanilla extract as a substitute)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 4 – 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Lemon Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (adjust for desired consistency)
  • Zest of 1/2 lemon

Instructions
 

Instruction

  • Paska Bread Ingredients
  • In a small bowl, whisk the warm milk and 1 tbsp of sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it bloom for 5–10 minutes, until frothy.
    Paska Bread Recipe Instruction - Activate the Yeast
  • Paska Bread Recipe Instruction - whisk the warm milk
  • In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk together eggs, melted butter, remaining sugar, orange zest, lemon zest, orange blossom water, and salt. Stir in the yeast mixture.
    Paska Bread Recipe Instruction - Mix Wet Ingredients
  • Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes in a stand mixer or 10 minutes by hand. The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
    Paska Bread Recipe Instruction - Gradually add flour
  • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 1/2–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
    Paska Bread Recipe Instruction - Place the dough in a greased bowl
  • Punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf (or divide into smaller loaves). Place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet or into a greased pan.
  • Cover the dough and let it rise for another 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Let cool completely before glazing.
    Paska Bread Recipe Instruction - Bake the Bread
  • In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more lemon juice or powdered sugar as needed.
  • Drizzle the lemon glaze over the cooled bread, letting it cascade beautifully down the sides. Garnish with extra citrus zest if desired.
    Paska Bread Recipe Instruction - Drizzle the lemon glaze over the cooled bread

Nutrition

Calories 513kcal (26%)Carbohydrates 83g (28%)Protein 11g (22%)Fat 15g (23%)Saturated Fat 9g (56%)Polyunsaturated Fat 1gMonounsaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0.5gCholesterol 104mg (35%)Sodium 187mg (8%)Potassium 163mg (5%)Fiber 2g (8%)Sugar 29g (32%)Vitamin A 507IU (10%)Vitamin C 1mg (1%)Calcium 63mg (6%)Iron 4mg (22%)
Keyword Paska Bread
Tried this recipe?Let us know if you liked it in the comments below!

Serving Suggestions

This citrus Paska bread is the perfect addition to an Easter spread, It is delicious served simply with a cup of tea or coffee.

For an extra treat, try spreading it with lemon curd for a tangy, sweet contrast that enhances its rich, buttery flavor.

Expert Tips 🧑‍🍳

  • Zest with care. Be sure to only take zest from the orange or yellow part of the lemon as the white pith is very bitter.
  • Orange blossom water. This is a powerful ingredient so be sure to use it sparingly.
  • Use the window pane test. Everybody’s kneading technique is different, so make sure you have kneaded the dough properly, look up how to do the window pane test.
  • Try a plaited top. You can separate a quarter of the dough and use that to form a plait. Then wind that on top of the bread for a decorative element.
perfect for serving at an Easter celebration

Storage Suggestions

  • To store- Store the bread in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 5 days.

Paska Bread FAQs

Is Paska Russian or Ukrainian?

Paska bread is originally Ukrainian but it is also found in various Eastern European countries with different names. In Russian, it is called kulich.

What does paska mean in English? 

Paska translates to Easter in English, which is when this bread is traditionally served.

What is the difference between Paska and Babka?

Both Paska and Babka are enriched breads containing milk, eggs, and sugar. Babka is usually sweeter, served year-round, and sometimes topped with icing.

Amy Hand
About the author
After finding the chef life a little too high-paced, Amy decided to take her cooking skills and use them to teach others through food writing. She uses her knowledge as a pastry chef and experience as a head chef to write articles that are engaging and helpful while being as entertaining as possible.

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