Cesnica
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour — 500 g (4 cups)
- Instant yeast — 7 g (2 1/4 tsp)
- Sugar — 1 tbsp
- Salt — 1 tsp
- Warm water — 300 ml (1 1/4 cups)
- Olive oil — 2 tbsp
- Clean Coin, wrapped in foil — 1
- Egg, beaten, for glazing — 1
Method
- Combine the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the warm water and olive oil, mixing to form a soft dough.
- Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours until doubled.
- Gently deflate the dough and tuck the foil-wrapped coin into the centre, sealing it inside.
- Shape into a round loaf, ensuring the coin is fully hidden.
- Place on a baking tray, cover, and let rise a further 30-40 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Brush the top with beaten egg and score a decorative cross pattern.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until deeply golden and hollow-sounding when tapped.
Introduction: A round bread with a hidden coin baked inside, prepared for Serbian Orthodox Christmas.
Cultural Background: Česnica is a cherished Christmas tradition in Serbian Orthodox households, a round bread baked with a coin hidden inside — whoever finds it in their slice is believed to have good fortune for the coming year.
Tips: Wrap the coin thoroughly and cleanly in foil before hiding it in the dough, both for hygiene and to protect it from the dough. Warn guests about the hidden coin before serving, as a courtesy.
Variations: Some families add a few whole cloves or other small tokens representing different fortunes alongside the coin; a slightly sweeter dough with a touch more sugar is a common variation.
Storage: Store wrapped in a cloth at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Refresh day-old bread by warming briefly in a hot oven for a few minutes to restore some softness.
Nutrition: Approx. 200 kcal, 6 g protein, 38 g carbohydrate, 3 g fat per slice (excluding coin).
FAQs:
Q: Is it safe to bake a coin into bread?
A: Yes, as long as it is thoroughly cleaned and wrapped securely in foil before baking, though care should always be taken when eating to avoid an unexpected bite.
Q: What happens if you find the coin?
A: Tradition holds that finding the coin in your slice brings good luck and prosperity for the year ahead.
- All-purpose flour — 500 g (4 cups)
- Instant yeast — 7 g (2 1/4 tsp)
- Sugar — 1 tbsp
- Salt — 1 tsp
- Warm water — 300 ml (1 1/4 cups)
- Olive oil — 2 tbsp
- Clean Coin, wrapped in foil — 1
- Egg, beaten, for glazing — 1
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