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Home » Recipes » Cuisine » Ukrainian Recipes

Bread Machine Kolach (Ukrainian Christmas bread)

Published: Dec 18, 2020 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Sep 14, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

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Pinterest Pin with white text on red background at top and bottom and photo of Bread Machine Kolach on black platter with Christmas ornaments in the background
Bread Make Kolach Ukrainain bread stacked on a plate on a Ukrainiain Christmas eve table

Bread is a pretty big deal to Ukrainians and there's a bread for every occasion, with Christmas being no exception. Kolach is a Ukrainian bread that is traditionally served at Ukrainian Christmas eve dinner, as well as other celebrations like weddings, and anniversaries

Kolach Ukrainian Christmas Bread on black platter with Ukrainian candle in the middle and Christmas decorations in the background

And since it's a lot of work to prepare this bread, I have created a Bread Machine Kolach recipe! This Kolach Bread is a traditional braided Ukrainian Bread made right in your bread machine! Three loaves, stacked on top of each other, are an essential part of the Ukrainian Christmas Eve Supper.

 

Jump to:
  •  
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions for shaping Kolach bread
  • 🎥 Video: 
  • 💭 How to serve Kolach
  • 🍽 Equipment
  • 👪 Serving size
  • ⭐ Reviews
  • 📋 Bread Machine Kolach (Ukrainian Bread) Recipe
  • 📋More Ukrainian recipes!

I have been meaning to turn my traditional Kolach Ukrainian bread recipe into a bread machine version for at least the last 2 years. Unfortunately, I have too many recipe ideas and there is too little time. However, this year I was determined to make it happen! And given that my Bread Maker Babka (shown below) and Bread Maker Paska are so popular, I assumed there would probably be some appetite 🙂 for a bread machine Kolach. Plus, I just love my bread machine; it does the hard labor you! You can check out my Bread Machine Ukrainian bread and all my Bread Machine Bread Recipes HERE!

Bread Maker Babka | Ukrainian Easter Bread - Foodmeanderings.com
Bread Maker Babka

Bread is regarded as one of the holiest foods to Ukrainians and it's the custom to greet honored guests with bread and salt. A small cake of salt is traditionally inserted into the central opening of the Kolach Ukrainian Bread.  Kolach symbolizes good luck, eternity, prosperity and a bountiful life.

🥘 Ingredients

The ingredients are very simple and you should have them on hand;

  • eggs
  • cooking oil (canola or any type of vegetable oil)
  • salt
  • water
  • white granulated sugar
  • all-purpose flour
  • bread maker yeast

*See recipe card for amounts

Kolach Ukrainian Christmas Bread on black platter with Ukrainian candle in the middle and Christmas decorations in the backgro

🔪 Instructions for shaping Kolach bread

  1. When dough cycle is complete, remove dough to a lightly floured surface and divide into 2 portions, one slightly larger than the other. *NOTE: You may have to knead in a little more flour than I use, as I live in a very dry climate.
  2. Spray an angel food cake pan with non-stick cooking spray. Shaping Kolach: Divide the larger piece into equal halves, and divide the smaller piece into equal thirds and set aside the smaller pieces (make sure they are covered so they don't dry out).
  3. Shape each of the larger pieces into a rope about 25 to 30 inches long. (I did mine about 28 inches/71 cm)
  4. Take the two thick ropes, pinch at one end and cross them in an X shape and twist them together until you reach the end, as you would making a cinnamon twist. Then pinch the other end together.
  5. Wrap around inside of the bottom of the prepared angel food cake pan in circular motion.
  6. Take the three smaller ropes and lay them parallel to each other on floured board. 
  7. Starting at one end, pinch together, then braid them together as shown. *See VIDEO below
  8. Arrange the braided rope in a ring on top of the circle of twisted dough, matching the seams up, and pinching the ends to seal
  9. Preheat oven to 375 degrees (175 degrees C). Cover (with tea towel) and place in warm, draft-free spot to rise for 1 hour or until double in size. *I set the bread to rise on the stove top
  10. Glaze with beaten egg diluted with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) water or milk. * You will only need ¼ - ⅓ of this, not all of it.
  11. Bake at 375 degrees (175 degrees C) for 35-40 minutes until lightly and evenly browned in color.
  12. *Check halfway through the baking process and if it's browned enough on top, If browned enough, then cover with foil and return to oven for remainder of time.

*See recipe card for full instructions

collage showing how to make kolach bread

🎥 Video: 

How to braid Kolach

💭 How to serve Kolach

Kolach (kolo) is the Ukrainian word for "circle" and the bread is shaped into 3 rings to symbolize the Trinity. Then the 3 round Kolache (plural for Kolach) or Kolachi are placed, one on top of the other, with a candle inserted into the center of the top loaf. This decorative bread display is an essential part of the Ukrainian Christmas Eve Supper (Svyata Vechera). 

3 Kolach stacked, with a candle in the middle on a table with dinner plates and a striped red and white table runner
Photo courtesy of Tanya Atton

Kolach bread is a rich and slightly sweet yeast bread and is made by braiding coils of dough with an opening in the center. The Kolach is used in many traditions such as greeting guests, blessings of wedding, birthdays, Christmas and wedding anniversaries.

🍽 Equipment

I use an angel food cake pan  (affiliate link) to make this bread because there is a natural opening in the center. Although, you could use a round pan or a baking sheet (with a can covered in aluminum foil in the centre -just be sure to spray it with non-stick cooking spray.) You will also need a bread machine (affiliate link).

👪 Serving size

This recipe is for a 1 lb bread maker and makes one circular 10 inch Kolach

Ukrainian Christmas is celebrated on January 6/7 and special traditional food is a big part of that celebration! You can read more about Ukrainian Christmas and the many traditions that surround it and find the recipes for the 12 meatless Ukrainian Christmas HERE!  And if you are celebrating Ukrainian Christmas and plan to make Kolach, then give yourself a break and give this Bread Machine Kolach a try!

⭐ Reviews

Did you make this Kolach recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

Kolach Ukrainian Christmas Bread on black platter with Ukrainian candle in the middle and Christmas decorations in the background
Food Meandering Logo

📋 Bread Machine Kolach (Ukrainian Bread) Recipe

This Kolach Bread is a traditional braided Ukrainian Bread made right in your bread machine! Three loaves, stacked on top of each other, are an essential part of the Ukrainian Christmas Eve Supper.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: Ukrainian
Keyword: bread, bread machine, christmas, kolach, Ukrainian
Special Diet: Vegetarian
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 130kcal
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
dough prep in machine and resting time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • ⅔ cup lukewarm water
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all- purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon bread maker yeast

Glaze

  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon water or milk
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Bread Machine Dough

  • Beat egg and egg yolk. Add lukewarm water and oil to egg. Beat again, then add to bread machine.
  • Add flour, then add sugar along one side of the bread pan and salt along the opposite side. Dig a hole in the middle of the flour and add yeast. * NOTE: This is how the ingredients are added in my bread machine (it's old), but follow your bread machine's directions for order of ingredients, if specified.
  • Turn the bread machine setting to "Dough Mode" and press start.
  • When dough cycle is complete, remove dough to a lightly floured surface and divide into 2 portions, one slightly larger than the other. *NOTE: You may have to knead in a little more flour than I use, as I live in a very dry climate.
  • Spray an angel food cake pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Shaping Kolach

  • Divide the larger piece into two equal pieces, and divide the smaller piece into equal thirds and set aside the smaller pieces (make sure they are covered so they don't dry out).
    Dough divided into 5 pieces
  • Shape each of the larger two pieces into a rope about 25 to 30 inches long. (I did mine about 28 inches/71 cm)
    2 pieces of kolach shaped into 2 - 28 inch long pieces on floured cutting board
  • Take the two thick ropes, pinch at one end and cross them in an X shape and twist them together until you reach the end, as you would making a cinnamon twist. Then pinch the other end together.
    2 longer pieces of dough for the kolach being twisted together
  • Wrap around inside of the bottom of the prepared angel food cake pan in circular motion.
    large rope of kolach on bottom of angel food cake pan
  • Take the three smaller ropes and lay them parallel to each other on floured board. 
    3 pieces of dough on floured cutting board
  • Starting at one end, pinch together, then braid them together as shown.
  • Arrange the braided rope in a ring on top of the circle of twisted dough, matching the seams up, and pinching the ends to seal.
    2nd coil of braided dough arranged on top of first coil in angel food cake pan
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees (175 degrees C)
  • Cover (with tea towel) and place in draft-free warm place, to let dough rise for 1 hour or until double in size. *I set the bread to rise on the stove top
    kolach covered with tea towel
  • Glaze with beaten egg diluted with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) water or milk. * You will only need ¼ - ⅓ of this, not all of it.
    Kolach being glazed with egg wash (with red pastry brush)

Baking

  • Bake at 375 degrees (175 degrees C) for 35-40 minutes until lightly and evenly browned in color.
    cooked kolach cooling in pan
  • *Check halfway through the baking process and if it's browned enough on top, (as shown)
    lightly browned kolach in angel food pan
  • If browned enough, then cover with foil and return to oven for remainder of time.
    tin foil covering kolach
  • Rest in pan for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove gently and cool.
    cooked kolach cooling in pan
  • If you want to make the traditional stacked loaves, then you'll need to make 2 more loaves
    3 Kolach stacked, with a candle in the middle on a table with dinner plates and a striped red and white table runner

Notes

*See post for important recipe information and tips!
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Nutrition Facts
📋 Bread Machine Kolach (Ukrainian Bread) Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 130 Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Fat 3g5%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 52mg17%
Sodium 131mg6%
Potassium 50mg1%
Carbohydrates 21g7%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 73IU1%
Calcium 11mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 130kcal (7%) | Carbohydrates: 21g (7%) | Protein: 4g (8%) | Fat: 3g (5%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Cholesterol: 52mg (17%) | Sodium: 131mg (6%) | Potassium: 50mg (1%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 1g (1%) | Vitamin A: 73IU (1%) | Calcium: 11mg (1%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amy

    December 22, 2020 at 6:36 pm

    My grams used to make something similar but sadly i never got the recipe. I'm so happy that you've documented the process so clearly with pictures on how to form the bread. I can't wait to try this break. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Vanessa

      December 23, 2020 at 4:02 pm

      I loved learning the background behind this bread. What a beautiful and delicious tradition!

      Reply
      • Terri Gilson

        December 24, 2020 at 7:52 am

        Thanks! It's really fun to make!

        Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      December 24, 2020 at 7:53 am

      That's awesome, Amy! I hope you enjoy it and it brings back some good memories of your Grams 🙂

      Reply
  2. NANCY

    December 24, 2020 at 4:04 pm

    what an interesting recipe. Thanks for sharing with us this Ukrainian bread! It looks so fluffy!

    Reply
  3. Julia Pinney

    December 24, 2020 at 11:47 pm

    I love hearing about all the different traditions and all the different dishes. I've never heard of this bread but it looks and sounds wonderful. I think bread is a wonderful way to greet guests!

    Reply
  4. Sharon

    December 27, 2020 at 1:42 pm

    Food is the great connector! So many traditions and stories center around food. 🙂 This is no different - I love the stacked rings with the candle in the middle. So meaningful and creates such an ambiance.

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      December 27, 2020 at 6:15 pm

      Thanks, Sharon! I agree!

      Reply
  5. Christine

    January 03, 2021 at 2:40 pm

    Just made this, it was fantastic! Comes out of bread machine very sticky so next time I may add a 1/4 cup more flour. I try a recipe as is for the first time and then make adjustments thereafter. Adding the extra flour is the only change I’d make, it tastes yummy! Using a bread machine is a huge plus. I’m trying the babka recipe next, closer to Easter. Thanks for sharing and stay safe!

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      January 03, 2021 at 7:58 pm

      Hi Christine,
      Glad you liked it! Yes, I live in a dry area so generally use a little less flour here. Hope you enjoy the Babka too (it's my personal fave) 🙂
      Take care and stay healthy!
      Terri

      Reply

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I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer and a busy working mom that is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

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