Ukrainian Easter Babka recipe (bread machine)- Food Meanderings (2024)

As a kid, Easter was an occasion second only to Halloween, summoning the kind of unadulterated delight that can only come from hunting your own living room for hordes of chocolate. Yet it was the Babka Ukrainian Easter bread that I really looked forward to...

Although bread is not typically the type of fare that kids yearn for, this bread was different. It was Ukrainian Easter Babka bread and it was an Easter tradition. I have preserved all that is wonderful about this Traditional Ukrainian Babka recipe, but made it easier by mixing the dough in the bread machine! This Easter Bread Machine Babka recipe is popular around Easter, of course, but welcome at any celebration! It pairs perfectly with so many Easter recipes, but especially Ukrainian Easter recipes.

And like any other child, I longed for kid food; candy, cakes, cookies, mac & cheese, pizza and sugary cereals, all of which happened to be the very same foods my mother had declared a moratorium on.

Except at Halloween and Easter. These were shining days for us – the days of junk food freedom. Emancipated from the shackles of parental food domination, we completely went to town on the sweet stuff; scarfing down that waxy, second-rate chocolate at every opportunity. We ate chocolate for breakfast, dessert and every snack in between, until just one more chocolate egg made us cry ‘uncle’.

So, in order to trump Easter chocolate, this was indeed, a special bread. You know, the kind of special that only comes once a year? The kind of special that infiltrates every fervent food thought in anticipation of the annual event it's served at?

Of course, I am talking about Babka Ukrainian Easter bread - that light, buttery, slightly sweet, delicate cake-like type of Ukrainian Easter bread; bread that sent me reeling with the kind of gastronomical gratification only that breed of special food is capable of evoking. Then luring me back to the table, sawing off hunk after glorious flaky hunk, heaping with slabs of semi-solid butter, barely clinging to its delicate crumbs; the Easter chocolate riding shot-gun….for now.

And after the celebration had finally ceased, ballooning above the belt, yet sated for another year, only then would I turn back to my Easter chocolate for consolation.

🍞Why bread is important to Ukrainians

Bread is a big deal!

To Ukrainians, bread is kind of a big deal. In fact, Ukrainians regard bread as one of the holiest of foods. Not only is it brought to church on Easter Sunday as an offering, it used to greet honored guests at home. Ukrainians celebrate almost every holiday and special occasion (like weddings and anniversaries) with bread. And if you ever have the honor of attending a traditional Ukrainian wedding, you will marvel at the towers of elaborately decorated breads.

I carry on the tradition and make this traditional Ukrainian bread for my family now. However, unlike those who seek solace in the art of making homemade bread, I preferred when my Baba made Babka for me. Although I love to bake, I can do without the hard labor of bread making. I have weak wrists – really, it’s true! But I love this traditional Easter bread and that's why I make Bread Machine Babka.

🥘 Ingredients

For this Ukrainian Easter Babka recipe, you'll need:

• whole eggs
• butter
• white granulated sugar
• powdered milk
• salt
• orange juice
• orange zest
• vanilla
• water
• all-purpose flour
• bread machine yeast
• raisins
• shortening

*see recipe card for quantities

📖Variations

• Raisins - You can use any type of raisins (regular, sultana, or golden raisins work best). However, not everyone is a fan, so skip them if you prefer.
• Gluten free option: Replace all- purpose flour with: 3 and ⅔ cups rice flour
• Orange flavor - you can use fresh lemon juice and lemon zest instead (although I highly recommend the orange flavor)!

💭 Top tips

• How to cool: Because the loaves are so delicate, when you remove them from the oven, cool slightly, gently remove them from tins and instead of using the traditional wire rack, you'll want to put them onto pillows covered with tea towels. * This ensures they cool without getting dented or squished. Gently rotate them once (after about 10 minutes).
• Knowing when it's done:
• The old-fashioned way: Remove from the oven and knock on the bottom of the tin with your knuckles. If done, it will sound hollow when tapped.
• The best way: use a thermometer to assess the doneness of breads, freeform loaves, and soft rolls. A temperature of 190°F at the center will yield bread that's fully baked. I use this instant read thermometer- (affiliate link) -it's great for everything food related!

🍽Equipment

You don't need an electric hand mixer or stand mixer, but you will need a bread machine to make the dough for this sweet bread. You will also need a bread knife *See photo recommendation and links in recipe card.

What type of cans to use for Easter Babka: use tomato juice tins (about 1 litre - about 32-oz cans), as it has become increasingly difficult to find coffee tins (most are made out of a plastic-type material or coated in plastic) now. *Just make sure you use something that is not coated (which usually looks white inside)

🌡️Storage

Store Babka Easter Bread at room temperature for up to 5 days in an airtight container (or Ziplock freezer bag)

Can you freeze Babka?

YES! This bread machine Babka freezes really well. The best way to prep it for freezing is to wrap it in plastic wrap (I use Glad Press n' seal wrap) and place it in a Ziplock freezer bag. It will last for at least 3 months in your freezer.

Making babka with a bread machine is so much easier and it tastes the same as traditional babka. So if you're looking for an Easter Babka recipe for your Easter celebrations, you'll love this Bread Machine Ukrainian Babka!

Follow myUkrainian Food Board on Pinterest

And if you're looking for more Ukrainian Easter bread, check out my Bread Machine Easter Paska bread!

And myUkrainian Easter Dove Tutorial

⭐ Reviews

Did you make this babka bread recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE BELOW.

Here's what others are saying: "Hi! I have cooked this bread in my machine several times and my Polish Mother in law approved! It seems to be just fine on the regular basic bread with a medium crust cycle on my old West Bend!
Thank you for sharing this recipe!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*See full recipe menu HERE