Pasca, The Romanian Easter Bread Jump to recipe

Pasca, The Romanian Easter Bread

Discover the delicious tradition of Pasca, a Romanian Easter bread with cheese filling. Learn the history and try our recipe for a tasty Easter treat.

Pasca, The Romanian Easter Bread is a traditional Easter bread with cheese filling that is widely popular in Romania and some other Eastern European countries.
This sweet and savory bread is a staple of the Easter feast and a symbol of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

romanian-easter-pasca-recipe1

Pasca, The Romanian Easter Bread

Cooking method: Baking
Cuisine: Romanian
Courses: Dessert
Difficulty: intermediate
Prep timeCook TimeRest TimeTotal Time
30 min 40 min 60 min 130 min
Servings: 12 person
Calories: 341kcal
Best season: spring

History and Origin

The history of Pasca dates back to ancient times when the Romans, who conquered Romania in 105 A.D., introduced their culinary traditions, including bread-making.
Pasca, a Romanian Easter Bread With Cheese Filling Recipe
Discover the delicious tradition of Pasca, a Romanian Easter bread with cheese filling.
In the Christian era, the bread became a symbol of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and an essential part of the Easter feast.
Pasca, the Romanian name for Easter bread, comes from the Latin word “Paschalis,” which means “pertaining to Easter.” The tradition of making Pasca in Romania dates back to the 16th century when the Orthodox Church was officially established in the country. The bread became a staple of the Easter celebration and a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The original Pasca recipe called for simple ingredients, such as flour, eggs, milk, butter, and sugar. The bread was/is usually baked in a round shape and decorated with a cross on top to symbolize the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Over time, the recipe evolved, and new ingredients were added, such as cheese, raisins, and lemon zest, to give the bread a unique flavor and texture.

Today, Pasca

is still an essential part of the Easter celebration in Romania, and each region has its own recipe and variations. Some people make the bread with a sweet cheese filling, while others prefer a more savory filling with bacon or vegetables.
In some parts of the country, the bread is also decorated with colored eggs, flowers, or other symbols of the Resurrection.

Ingredients

For the dough

For the filling

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl,

    combine the flour, sugar, instant yeast, salt, and lemon zest.

  2. Add the eggs and melted butter, and gradually pour in the warm milk, while mixing, until the dough comes together.

  3. Knead the dough on a floured surface (or use stand mixer) for 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

  4. Place the dough back in the mixing bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rest in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

  5. In the meantime, prepare the filling.

  6. In a separate bowl, combine the farmer’s cheese, eggs, sugar, vanilla sugar, semolina, lemon zest, and raisins (if using).

  7. Mix well until everything is well incorporated.

  8. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

  9. Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to release the air, and divide it into two parts.

  10. Roll out each part into a round sheet (about 30cm in diameter).

  11. Place one sheet into a buttered 24cm round baking dish, and prick it with a fork in several places.

  12. Pour the cheese filling over the dough, and spread it evenly.

  13. Cover the cheese filling with the second sheet of dough, and seal the edges well.

  14. Brush the top of the Pasca with beaten egg yolk, and decorate as you like.

  15. Bake it in the preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes, or until it becomes golden brown.

  16. Once done, remove the Pasca from the oven, and let it cool completely before slicing and serving.

    Enjoy, Good Appetite!

Your might also like