Quark Vánočka

METHOD

• 1
  Crumble the yeast into a mug, add a teaspoon of sugar and a tablespoon of flour. Pour in lukewarm milk and stir. Let the leaven rise in a warm place, which takes about 10 minutes.
• 2
  Sift the flour into a bowl, add sugar, vanilla sugar, and a pinch of salt. Make a well in the center, pour in the risen leaven, add egg yolks, quark, and melted butter. Knead into a smooth, non-sticky dough (you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook).
• 3
  Finally, fold in the raisins. Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, until it doubles in volume.
• 4
  From the risen dough, form 9 equally sized pieces.
• 5
  Braid a plait from 4 pieces, then from three, and finally from two. Place these three parts on top of each other.
• 6
  Transfer the Vánočka to a baking sheet lined with baking paper, cover with a cloth, and let it rise for another 20 minutes.
• 7
  Whisk an egg and brush the Vánočka with it.
• 8
  Sprinkle with almond flakes. Bake in an oven preheated to 180 °C for about 40–45 minutes.
• 9
  After 20 minutes of baking, you can cover the Vánočka with aluminum foil to prevent it from burning.