Serbia · Breads & Doughs
Česnica
Christmas bread with hidden coin- Yield
- 1 loaf (about 12 slices)
- Active
- 40 minutes
- Total
- 3 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
The story
Česnica is broken by hand, never cut with a knife—the belief is that a blade would “cut through” the luck hidden inside. Before baking, a coin is pressed into the dough, and whoever finds it in their piece carries good fortune through the whole year. The bread is broken on Christmas Day, with a prayer, at the start of the festive Christmas meal, usually led by the eldest member of the family—the badnjak having been lit the evening before, on Christmas Eve. In Serbian communities in America, where Christmas follows the Julian calendar and falls on January 7, česnica is often the first sign that the celebration has begun—even when the rest of the neighborhood took down its decorations long ago.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 clean coin, wrapped tightly in foil or parchment
- 1 egg, beaten, for glazing
- Sesame seeds, for topping (optional)
Method
- Dissolve the yeast in the warm water with a pinch of sugar or flour; let stand 10 minutes until foamy.
- Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture and oil, and knead into a smooth, elastic dough, about 8–10 minutes.
- Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Punch down the dough, tuck the wrapped coin into the center, and reshape into a smooth round loaf, sealing the dough well around the coin.
- Place on a baking sheet, cover, and let rise 30 minutes more. Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. You may score a cross or decorative pattern into the top.
- Bake 30–35 minutes, until deep golden and it sounds hollow when tapped. Cool before serving; the bread is broken by hand at the table, never cut with a knife.