Vanocka

INSTRUCTIONS

• 1
  To make this dough, we need to start with leaven. Mix the smooth flour with the semi-course one in a food processor bowl. Make a small dent in the mixture, poor two thirds of the milk into it and add crumbled yeast. Carefully start mixing in the rest of the flour from the sides, until the consistence of the mixture resembles pancake batter. Powder the surface of your mixture with smooth flour and let it proof in a warm place for 30 minutes.
• 2
  Melt the butter in a saucepan. Beat the egg in a bowl with a fork. Add the rest of the milk, butter, both kinds of sugar, salt, lemon skin and egg into the bowl with leaven. Let the food processor process the mixture for 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth, non-sticky dough. Finally, add raisins and almonds. Let the dough rest in a warm place for 30 minutes.
• 3
  Preheat the oven to 160 °C. Fold the baking paper into a baking tin.
• 4
  After letting the dough rest, divide it into 6 pieces. Using a rolling pin, roll each piece out flat and then roll each piece into a rope, about 30 cm long, with your hand. This is to make sure that the dough is easily braided. Tuck the ends on one side and braid the vanocka.
• 5
  Place the vanocka on the baking tin with baking paper and let it proof for 1 hour. Then brush it with the egg and sprinkle it with sliced almonds, put it into the preheated oven and bake it for 40-50 minutes.

Braiding the Vanocka

• 1
  Divide your ropes into two groups of three. Cross your left arm over your right arm and grab both the outer ropes (hold the right rope with your left hand and the left rope with your right hand). Put your arms back in a normal position and then place the rope in your left hand on the right inner side.
• 2
  Using your left hand, grab the right outer rope from under and then put your arms back in a normal position. Place the rope in your right hand on the left inner side.
• 3
  Using your right hand, grab the left outer rope from under and then put your arms back in a normal position. Place the rope in your left hand on the right inner side.
• 4
  Using your left hand, grab the right outer rope from under and then put your arms back in a normal position. Place the rope in your right hand on the left inner side.
• 5
  Continue with step 2 and keep repeating until you have braided all the ropes.