Traditional Christmas bread is prepared differently in different parts of Serbia, and what they all have in common is that you need to put a coin in it. It is believed that the one who draws a coin during the traditional breaking the bread will have money and luck. In addition to coins, you can put a piece of Christmas tree in it, which is believed to bring good health and fertility. In some regions, corn, brens, oats or wheat are also placed, which should predict a fruitful and fertile year for the host. It is a custom to keep a found pair in a special place, and give wheat, oats and corn to domestic animals, which is why they are put in bread.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who won the coin, what matters is that we spend this most joyous and greatest Christmas holiday together in the circle of family and dear people in health and happiness.
Ingredients:
- 1 kilogram of flour;
- ½ litre of milk ;
- A litle cube of yeast;
- 2 egg;
Dissolve the yeast in a little milk, add one beaten egg. Add salt and mix gradually adding flour and adding the remaining lukewatm milk to obtain a smooth dough. After the dough is well kneaded, cover it with a clean cloth and let it rise. When it starts to rise, transfer it to a mixing board and knead it slighty. The bread dough should not rise completely. Shape it like a scone and insert a coin. Bake the bread in a greased pan. There are different customs when it comes to decorating – you can dot it with the picks of a small twing or for decoration you can make a harder dough from flour and water, cut the decorations, make them as you wish and stick them on the Christmas bread. Bake in an oven heated to 200 degrees and after 10 minutes reduce to 170 degrees and bake until done.
Meryy Christmas! ♥
