Chocolate Paska Bread (with Cream Cheese Filling)
Looking for a unique Easter dessert? This chocolate paska bread combines soft, fluffy yeast dough with a rich chocolate cream cheese filling for a delicious twist on a traditional Eastern European favorite. Perfect for Easter celebrations, this indulgent yet comforting dessert is sure to impress family and guests alike.
Ingredients
For the leaven:
- 50 g cake flour
- 50 ml full-fat milk (warm, not hot)
- 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 12 g fresh yeast
For the dough:
- 500 g cake flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 150 ml milk (warm)
- 1 tbsp vanilla sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/2 beaten egg
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 50 g butter ,softened
- 1/2 salt
- orange zest
For the filling:
- 500 g cream cheese
- 200 g dark chocolate
- 100 ml heavy cream
- 150 g sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar
- 1 tablespoon brewed coffee
- 4 large eggs
- pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Prepare the leaven
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, flour, sugar, and crumbled yeast. Mix well and let it rest for 10–15 minutes, until slightly foamy.
2. Make the dough
- Sift the flour into a large bowl and make a well in the center. Add the egg yolks, half the beaten egg, sour cream, and sugar, and mix lightly.
- Pour in the leaven, then gradually add the warm milk. Begin kneading until the dough comes together.
- Add the salt and orange zest, then continue kneading until smooth. Finally, incorporate the softened butter and knead until the dough becomes elastic and no longer sticks to your hands.
- Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
3. Prepare the filling
- Melt the dark chocolate with the heavy cream and coffee over low heat. Stir until smooth and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese with the sugar and vanilla sugar until smooth.
- Lightly beat the eggs with a pinch of salt, then add them to the cheese mixture and mix well.
- Slowly pour in the melted chocolate, stirring continuously until fully combined and creamy.
4. Assemble the paska
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Line a round cake pan with removable sides. Roll out the dough into a circle slightly larger than the pan.
- Place the dough into the pan, covering the bottom and sides evenly.
- Pour in the chocolate cream cheese filling and smooth the top. Brush the exposed dough edges with beaten egg.
5. Bake
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely before slicing.
To Serve
- Slice and serve once fully cooled. This paska is rich, creamy, and best enjoyed slowly—with coffee, tea, and good company.
Notes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!