Česnica

Ingredients:

• Instant yeast, 2 envelopes
• Lukewarm water, 1/2 cup + 1 1/2 cups
• Eggs, 3
• Salt, 1 tsp
• Sugar, 1 tbs
• Lemon juice, 1 tbs
• Softened butter, 1 stick
• Flour, 6 cups
• Sterilized silver coin, 1

Preparation:

Stir together flour, salt, sugar, yeast, melted butter and one beaten egg in a mixing bowl.

Pour warm milk and water into the flour mixture. Mix everything with the spoon.

Transfer the dough to the counter and knead for about 10 min. Add more flour if needed.

Form dough in the round shape (boule) and put in the lightly oiled large bowl to rise for 2 hours, to double its original size. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.

Remove the dough from the bowl and divide in two pieces, the smaller one  should be for braiding.

Make boule (round shape loaf) from the larger piece and transfer it to slightly oiled baking pan.

Although the size of boule is smaller than the pan, don't worry, it will rise and fill up the pan.

Divide smaller piece of dough into 3 equal pieces. Roll out the pieces into strands and braid them using 3-braid method.

Transfer braid to the top of boule to fit baking pan.

Brush the bread with egg wash (beaten egg with a little bit of water) and cover with plastic wrap for 40 min.

Preheat oven to 180°C.

Bake bread for 35-40 min. The bread should be golden brown on the top. 

When it is done, transfer the bread to a rack to cool down.