AMAZING EASTER CAKE RECIPE
Many people say that properly prepared Easter cake stays fresh for 40 days after the holiday. However, its freshness depends not only on higher powers, but also on some cooking tricks, which we will tell you about.
Easter cake dough loves time, good mood and room temperature. So, please, be vigilant: check if the windows at home are open and if the radiator is too hot. When setting the timer, it’s better not to skimp and set it for as long as indicated in the recipe. And most importantly, think positive thoughts when you knead the dough.
INGREDIENTS
500 g flour
260 ml milk
30 g dry yeast
100 g butter
400 g sugar
70 g raisins
70 g candied fruits
1 tsp. vanillin
50 ml strong alcohol
A pinch of salt
Confectionery topping for decoration
ADVICE
You can literally add 50 milliliters of strong alcohol to the Easter cake dough - this will extend the shelf life of the finished product.
COOKING
In a separate bowl, heat the milk a little so that it is slightly warm, and first add the yeast and then half the flour, after sifting it. Try to choose the freshest and best yeast for the recipe, since the result depends on them.
Cover the dough with a towel and leave to rise for 30 minutes at room temperature. The dough loves silence, so it will be better if there is no one in the room.
While the dough is rising, you can start mixing other ingredients. Separate the whites of 3 eggs from the yolks. Rub the yolks with 350 grams of sugar, and set aside the remaining eggs and sugar for the glaze. All ingredients should be at room temperature.
Beat the whites until soft foam with one pinch of salt.
After 30 minutes, when the dough has increased in volume, add the yolks and sugar to it and mix thoroughly.
Then add softened butter to the dough. Please note that the oil, like all ingredients, must be prepared in advance and left at room temperature for about an hour.
After you mix in the butter, add the whites to the dough. Sift the remaining flour into the dough and start kneading the dough with your hands.
The finished kneaded dough should not stick to your hands and should not be very stiff. Don't be afraid to use a little more flour if the dough still hasn't reached the desired consistency.
When you have kneaded the dough, cover it with a towel and put it in a warm place to rise for another 1 hour.
Soak candied fruits, raisins or dried fruits if using them. Raisins can be soaked in warm water, and candied fruits can be soaked well in strong alcohol, for example, liqueur or rum, this will give the cake an additional flavor. Soak dried fruits for 15 minutes, then drain and dry.
An hour later, after the dough has stood and greatly increased in volume, add dried fruits to it, mix with your hands, cover with a towel and leave for another 25 minutes.
After 25 minutes, take the cake pans, line them with parchment, grease with oil and fill a third with dough. Cover with a towel and leave to steep for another half hour.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and bake the cake for 35-40 minutes, depending on its size. If you notice that the top of the Easter cake has browned sufficiently, cover it with paper soaked in water.
Check the doneness of the cakes by inserting a toothpick into the top. If it's dry, then it's time to start decorating.
To make the glaze for decorating the Easter cake, beat the whites of the remaining eggs into a strong foam, add the remaining sugar there, and mix well with a whisk. You need to beat as long as possible.
Add frosting to the cake. It’s more convenient not to pour out all the glaze at once, but to carefully spread it with a teaspoon - this way the cake turns out more neat.
Decorate the finished cake with sprinkles. You can show a little originality and pour melted chocolate on top, it turns out beautiful and very tasty.
Interesting fact: it is believed that the most delicious thing is located on the “cap” of the Easter cake; due to this worldly misconception, the dish is cut incorrectly - lengthwise, like a cake. In fact, religious rules prescribe cutting Easter cakes crosswise into round slices, and in such a way that the top is eaten last.
The decoration of Easter cakes is of particular importance. Traditionally, nuts or raisins are used to lay out the image of a cross or the letter “XB” - Christ is Risen. But there are other ways - it all depends on your imagination. Easter cakes can be topped with icing and fondant, decorated with powdered sugar, poppy seeds or special confectionery sprinkles.
The last week of Lent before Easter requires a particularly strict fast.
The Thursday before Easter is considered Maundy Thursday. On this day, you need to count all the money three times, so that later the money will be “flowing” all year.
Everyone in the family should take a handful of salt and pour it into one bag. This salt is removed and stored, and it is called “Thursday salt,” that is, Maundy Thursday. They used to treat themselves, as well as their family and friends. The same salt was used to make amulets for the family, livestock, garden, and home.
On Maundy Thursday they clean, wash, and wash everything in the house. Starting from Thursday, nothing is given or taken out of the house until Easter.
When baking Easter cakes, they made a wish for each Easter that was put in the oven for each family member. If anyone's Easter fails, it means serious illness, or even death. If the Easter turned out smooth and not burnt, it means good health.
On Friday they will sweep the corners with a rag. According to signs, this rag helped to get rid of lower back pain if you tied it around yourself. They used the same rag to wipe their feet in the bathhouse after washing so that their feet would not hurt. Ash, taken from the oven on Friday before Easter, helped to recover from alcoholism, black shaking, the evil eye and mortal melancholy.
On Friday they look out the window, noting who they will see first: if a man, then to prosperity for three months. If a person gets sick at this time, he will quickly recover. Any problem will be easily resolved. If you see an old woman, then there will be a succession of three months of failure and illness. And if you see a young woman first, you will live without problems for these three months. If you are lucky and your family appears first before your eyes, this means peace in your family, reconciliation of those who are at odds. According to signs, a dog means longing, a cat means profit, birds mean a new acquaintance and good news, a disabled person means the death of a loved one.
There was a belief that anyone who dies on Bright Week will freely go to heaven, no matter what sinner he may be, because access to the Kingdom of Heaven is explained by the fact that during Easter week the gates of heaven are not closed and no one guards them.
All preparatory work: cooking, painting eggs - must be completed before Easter Sunday.
On Easter morning they wash themselves with water left over from Maundy Thursday. It’s good to put a silver thing or a spoon in it, or maybe a coin. This type of washing will bring beauty and wealth.
If a girl just can’t get married, then she needs to give the towel she used to dry herself on Maundy Thursday, along with the brownies and Easter cake, to those who ask for alms. Then the desired marriage should take place quickly.
Village girls did not take salt during Easter to prevent their hands from sweating. They washed themselves with water from a red egg to be ruddy, and stood on an ax to become strong.
The girls believed that all the usual love omens on Easter would come true. Therefore, if, for example, a girl hurt her elbow, she already thought that her darling had remembered her. If a cockroach or a fly fell into the cabbage soup, you probably have a date. If your lip itches, you can’t avoid kissing. If your eyebrow starts to itch, you will bow to your sweetheart.
During the Easter service, the girls quietly whispered: “The Resurrection of Christ! Send me a single groom, in stockings and shorts!”; “God grant a good groom, in boots and galoshes, not on a cow, but on a horse!”
Everyone, without exception, begins the Easter holiday in the family with the words: “Christ is risen” and answers: “Truly he is risen.”
On Easter, a husband and wife do not christen themselves in front of everyone - this leads to separation. Parents and children can kiss three times.
If, at the first strike of the church bell, you cross yourself and say: “Christ is risen, and the servant (name) is in good health,” even a seriously ill person will recover. Girls of marriageable age and widows said: “Christ has risen, and the suitors come to me. Amen".
During Easter, church bells rang continuously. According to a long-standing tradition, anyone - from a child to an elder - had the opportunity to climb the bell tower and personally ring the bells around the area, thus sharing the Easter joy with others.
Special attention is paid to table decoration and food during Easter. It’s as if spring itself, joyful, with the ringing of bells and the chirping of birds, is setting the festive tables. A rich Easter table is a symbol of heavenly joy.
In the houses, even before Matins, the table was set for breaking the fast. That owner was bad if he didn’t put a pig, sausage, and Easter eggs on the table. Plenty of everything!
Wealthy owners served 48 different dishes according to the number of days of Lent. Godfathers and matchmakers were always invited to visit. They exchanged Christ with each other, sat down at the table to break their fast, and then rested.
Easter will come with the morning. Every house is clean. Relatives, friends, acquaintances who have not seen each other for so long gather at the Easter table: after all, it is not customary to pay each other visits during Lent.
Everything on the table is colorful, Easter cakes and Easter cakes in roses, painted eggs. In the kitchen they baked a whole pig, lamb or ham, and fried veal.
According to tradition, painted eggs were placed on a wooden dish among sprouted oats or wheat, tied with an embroidered towel and decorated with flowers.
Throughout Bright Week, priests served Easter prayers in churches. From early morning, all the bells were ringing in the bell towers; everyone could become a bell ringer that day; no one was turned away.
According to pious custom, on Easter they visited the poor in almshouses and shelters. They did secret alms. They sent prisoners to break their fast and collected money to ransom debtors from prison.
Wanderers, holy fools and the crippled were fed to the full in their homes. And so on throughout Holy Week, otherwise Easter will not be a joy.
People especially love Easter Sunday. It has been noticed that not only Christians, but everyone in general rejoices at him. Perhaps this is the most hospitable holiday. Everyone is invited to visit. Housewives are happy to show off their talents. Here are all sorts of foods and talents that are embodied in Pysanki. This holiday brings a lot of things to life. You just need to not be lazy.
Our ancestors were hardworking, attentive, and quick-witted people. They not only left us with many recipes and wise advice regarding the preparation of Easter treats. We also received Easter omens from them. Let's talk about them.
Signs about Easter cake
Nowadays, as in the old days, many people go to the Temple to light up the holiday goodies. And few people remember what sign is associated with this. Previously, it was customary to quickly run home from Church with Easter cake. It was believed that the owner who crossed his threshold the fastest would gain wealth in the harvest. This is what old people still advise today. The one who heard will definitely go to the Temple. And from there he won’t go for a walk, but will quickly take the cake home. The sooner you find yourself in an apartment, the more prosperous the year will be.
But when the Easter cake cracked, while baking or in the Temple, then trouble should have been expected. This is not a good omen. It was necessary to take a piece and feed the birds. In principle, everyone did this. This is how good luck and wealth were called into the house.
Kulich generally plays a big role at this time. The morning meal started with him. A must for the whole family. They said that this Easter tradition brought peace back to the house. Protected from quarrels. And for a whole week, it was customary to give the kids a small piece of Easter cake in the morning. Everything else could be eaten only after. It was believed that this would protect them from diseases and the evil eye for the whole year.
Signs for early risers
It was considered a very good omen to encounter the sun's rays on the street on this day. They said that the one who greets them first will not know troubles for the whole year. They will avoid him.
The Easter meal was also supposed to begin at the first light. The Easter sign says that the one who sits down first at the table will be rich. Angels will protect him and help him in all his endeavors. This is exactly the day when you need to forget about diets. You should sit down straight from service to a rich table and not skimp on food or on your own stomach.
About babies and their fate
It is believed that people with a special destiny are born on Easter. If the baby appeared at noon, and even in a shirt, then he must be a great person. Such individuals are capable of changing the course of history and influencing the destinies of humanity. But all other Easter babies are also endowed with great talents. Note to moms and dads. These kids definitely have talent. It is necessary to see it and help the baby develop it.
And to prevent the child from getting sick, it was customary to place his legs on the blade of an ax at dawn. You need to say this:
“A steel cap, it doesn’t break, it defeats everyone. So you, my son (my daughter), be strong, healthy and prosperous. Amen!".
Signs for Easter about well-being
It was obligatory to give to the beggar when the service ended. Such a generous person was in prosperity all year and forgot about poverty. It is very sad when the candle flame goes out during a service. This is a bad omen. After such an event, troubles and other sorrows were expected. When it burned evenly, the year brought many joys of every kind.
Sorrows will haunt the lazy person who slept through the Easter service. That's what they thought in the old days. Surely, this rule has not been canceled even today.
Family matters
“Power in the house” was defined very interestingly. If at the Easter feast a husband and wife knocked their hands together, they would be sure to see whose would remain intact. It was he who managed the house for the entire next year (until the new “redistribution” of power).
The wax that remained from the Easter candle (or cinder) had to be stored. They served out of evil and misfortune. In the worst cases, the Easter candle was lit to disperse the darkness around.
Love Easter omens
It was not customary to start a wedding during Easter week (which is not remembered today). This was a bad omen. Such a couple cannot live in happiness and prosperity. Girls who could not find a groom were supposed to whisper like this during the service:
“Sunday, holy, of Christ! Send the Lord to servant (name) of a single groom!”
If a man (of any age) speaks to her first at the end of the service, you know that she will soon meet her fate.
Easter signs, which contain the wisdom of more than one generation, are of great importance for believers. People use them to predict events in the near future, and they will also help prevent bad events and well-being.
Easter signs and beliefs
Thanks to people's observation, weather signs have appeared that are still relevant today:
- If the weather is clear on this great holiday, this is a harbinger of a hot summer, and if it is cloudy, it is a harbinger of a cold and dry one.
- When it rains on Easter, this indicates that there will be frequent rains in late spring, and a rich harvest of rye should also be expected.
- A thunderstorm on this day foreshadows a late and dry autumn.
- If the snow has not completely cleared from the fields before Easter, this is a harbinger of a rich harvest.
There are other Easter signs and customs that provide a lot of information about life:
- It is believed that the person who is the first to see the sunrise on this holiday will not know troubles all year.
- Elderly people should comb their hair on this holiday, saying that they will have as many grandchildren as there are hairs on their heads.
- It is believed that if a person rides on a swing on Easter, this will be a ritual of worship and one can get rid of all sins.
- If a person breaks something on the first day of a great holiday, then this is a harbinger of death.
- A colorful sunset on Easter foretells good luck.
Easter cake - signs
Since ancient times, women have been baking special Easter cakes, and many traditions and signs are associated with this process. When kneading the dough, you must read well-known prayers. Traditionally, the dough needs to be kneaded for an hour and is considered to be very sensitive to people's physical condition. If it does not rise, it means that there is a seriously ill person at home.
Describing signs about Easter cakes, it is worth saying that for every Easter, before putting them in the oven, you need to make a wish for one of the family members. If the baking fails, it means that the person to whom it was dedicated will become seriously ill. When it turns out beautiful, it is a symbol of health. Understanding what signs for Easter are associated with Easter cakes, it is worth saying that if they crack during the holiday, this is a bad sign that foreshadows troubles for the whole family. To ensure a good harvest, the owner always took a head from the blessed Easter cake with him to the field for lunch.
Easter eggs - signs
It is difficult to imagine this great church holiday without colored eggs, which are associated with many superstitions.
- At Easter, children are always given red eggs (a symbol of the blood of Christ), which will provide them with health and well-being.
- Signs about Easter eggs say that with their help you can get rid of damage, headaches, fatigue and other problems. In ancient times in Germany, they were eaten by women in labor who wanted to have a boy.
- If consecrated paints have spoiled, they should never be thrown away, as this is a sinful act. The solution to the problem is to bury them. It is also necessary to do the same with the shell.
- Easter signs for girls indicate that if you wash your face with water in which the blessed red eggs have lain for some time, you can preserve your beauty.
- People believed that with the help of an egg it was possible to increase the harvest, for which purpose it was buried in wheat during a church service. Afterwards they take it with them to the field when sowing is carried out.
Easter candle - signs
It is important to take a candle with you to the service and for the blessing of Easter cakes. It is believed that it has enormous power and must be brought home from church. The following Easter folk signs are common:
- A bad sign is when a candle goes out during a service. It is believed that this portends illness and other troubles. If the candle burns out before the end of the service, and in the end it is extinguished by the person himself, then this is good.
- It is recommended to store the remaining wax from candles until the next holiday, since folk signs say that they are a talisman for the house against fires and for the family against curses.
- According to another superstition, in order to protect your family from various kinds of problems, quarrels and bad luck, you need to burn a cross on the door frame using.
Signs on Easter night in church
The time after sunset has enormous energy, so there are certain signs that are suitable only for this period.
- If you scoop up water from a river or spring on Easter night, it will have enormous power. With its help, it will be possible to cure diseases and improve beauty for girls.
- Signs for the Easter service indicate that it is important to attend it in order to cleanse yourself and celebrate the great event with other believers. If a person overslept it, this is a bad sign, foreshadowing a lot of trouble.
- If there are many stars in the sky at night on Easter, then frosts should still be expected.
- Girls should know that if they start menstruating at night, they should not go to church services. You can ask other people to light a candle.
Easter bell - signs
Since ancient times, it has been believed that the ringing of bells can cleanse a person’s soul, drive out evil spirits from him and give him health. Many people attest to his grace because they have experienced it themselves. When figuring out what signs on Easter night and day are associated with the ringing of bells, it is worth pointing out that it has special magical powers. When a person hears the bell ringing during the morning service, he must make a wish, and it will come true. In order for the trees to produce a rich harvest, it is necessary to shake them thoroughly during the ringing.
Easter love signs
People who are in a relationship should be careful about kissing on the day of the great holiday; for example, you should not kiss on the threshold, as this portends separation. Easter signs of love indicate that if lovers hear crows cawing while kissing, then there is a high risk that the relationship will soon end. The best place for a kiss is under a tree, then it will portend a happy life.
Easter signs for marriage
There are a number of superstitions that can be used by single girls who want to find their soulmate and get married. The most popular folk signs on Easter days, indicating an imminent marriage:
- If your eyebrow is very itchy on this day, then a meeting with your future spouse will take place in the near future.
- A feeling as if your lips are burning or severe itching in this area foreshadows fiery kisses and, perhaps, you will soon be able to receive a marriage proposal.
- Signs for the Easter week for the family say that if a fly gets on the plate of a lonely girl during the Easter meal, then she will definitely get married this year.
- A good sign is to hear the cuckoo cuckoo on this day, which promises a successful marriage.
- It is believed that if the weather is bad on Easter, then you should not agree to marriage this year, as it will be unsuccessful.
Easter signs for pregnancy
If a woman has been unable to get pregnant for a long time, then Easter is a great time to take advantage of the enormous energy of this holiday and increase your chances of success. There are special Easter signs for getting pregnant:
- During the meal, you need to put an empty plate next to you and put a piece of Easter cake there, saying: “Easter cake is for the kids!” Then go outside and feed the baked goods to the birds.
- It is believed that if you bless an apple on this holiday, make a wish on it and eat it, your dream will come true.
- According to another Easter sign, if you hit any child with a colored egg and say “Christ is risen,” your chances of getting pregnant will increase significantly.
It is believed that a child born on Easter Sunday will certainly have some kind of talent, and he will be able to become a famous person. It is also believed that he will have excellent health. Another ancient sign is known, which indicates that if a child is developing slowly, then he should be walked barefoot on a wooden floor on Easter. After this, he should quickly learn to walk, talk, and so on.
Signs for Easter for money
On this great holiday, you can increase your financial well-being; for this, it is recommended to follow a number of signs.
- It is believed that the whole family must go to church for the service, and then return home together and the housewife must feed all the household members.
- Signs for Easter week regarding money indicate that in order to increase your financial situation, you need to share, so after the service, be sure to give out alms, giving not only money, but also Easter cakes and eggs. It is important to do everything from the heart, and not because it is necessary.
- Crumbs left after eating Easter cakes should not be thrown away. They need to be fed to the birds.
Getting sick on Easter is a sign
According to ancient beliefs, if a person gets sick on this day, the illness will not last long and he will soon recover. It is believed that in this way the Higher powers protect or protect a person from some kind of danger, so if an illness occurs, it is worth analyzing your life, perhaps the wrong decision was made. Signs on Easter day indicate that if someone saw a dead relative in a dream, then neither he nor his loved ones will get sick in the near future.
Death during Easter week - signs
There are several days a year when death, according to Orthodox traditions, must be perceived as grace. Signs on Easter day say that a person who passes away on this great holiday is marked by the Lord God. His soul will certainly go to heaven among the holy saints. It is important to bury such a person by placing a red egg in his right hand.
Easter is the most important holiday of the year for every Orthodox person. Over the course of several centuries, this day has acquired many popular signs and beliefs. Some of them have reached our time unchanged.
If the sun shines brightly on Easter, then summer will be clear and hot. If it rains, then the summer will also be cold and rainy.
It is believed that if a bird flies to the windowsill on Easter morning, then it is the soul of a deceased relative who has come to visit his relatives.
In order for the whole year to pass in joy and prosperity, the whole family needs to have breakfast on Easter morning.
Eating a piece of homemade cake means attracting wealth. To deprive this food of your attention is to invite poverty.
To meet the dawn on the holiday of the Resurrection of Christ is a great happiness.
If a girl hits her elbow on Easter day, then fate will soon take her by the hand and lead her to her betrothed.
You can get rid of the evil eye and damage on Easter by crossing yourself with a blessed egg.
If a small child cries bitterly on Easter, then it’s time for the parents to go to church and go to confession. It is believed that through the child the Guardian Angel makes it clear to parents that their souls have too much burden of sins.
If you were given an egg and it peeled off, it’s a big sin on you.
Unexpected guests on Easter mean great wealth.
Going for a visit on Easter day yourself will open up new paths to happiness and good luck.
If during a festive meal the Easter cake is eaten first and entirely, the year will be extremely successful.
Feeding the birds on Easter means getting rid of past failures and even illnesses.
If a stray cat or dog comes to your house on the Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord, this is a sign of great wealth and unexpected joy. In order for well-being to become a part of your life, animals should be fed from the heart.
Borrowing money to a friend for Easter means a big financial increase in the near future.
Spilling salt on Easter day means grief in the family.
Finding a bouquet of consecrated willow on the road means trouble.
Spilling water, tea or coffee before sunset on Sunday means tears. After sunset - to tears of joy.
Oversleeping through the morning service if you were not at the night service is a big disaster.
Drawing a cross on the front door frame with soot from an Easter candle will protect your home from troubles and fire for the whole year.
If a child was born on Easter, he should be strong and healthy.
It is believed that a person who dies on Easter goes straight to Heaven. All sins committed during his lifetime are forgiven, and at the funeral a red blessed Easter egg is placed in the right hand of the deceased.
It is believed that on the Day of Resurrection you must go on a swing: all sins will be blown away by the wind.
During the morning meal, married couples beat colored eggs against each other: it is believed that the one whose shell remains intact will be the head of the family all year.
Hearing a cuckoo at sunset on Easter Sunday means the birth of a child, and the sound of a woodpecker means a new home.
Cutting yourself until you bleed on Easter means illness, and shedding someone else’s blood means taking on all the sins of that person.
If a thunderstorm came on the Resurrection of Christ, then the summer will be long and warm, and the autumn will be late and dry.
If Easter night is clear and starry, there will be frost the next day.
Easter rituals and fortune telling
Despite the fact that clergy strongly discourage fortune telling during Easter week, several long-standing rituals that attract wealth and prosperity continue to be used for many years.
Ritual for wealth
This simple ritual is performed on the first evening after the Easter night service. For the ritual you will need:
- soup plate;
- a handful of millet, a handful of sunflower seeds and a handful of bread crumbs;
- church candle.
At sunset, you need to stay alone, install and light a candle, and then read any prayer that you know and feel.
Place a plate in front of the candle, take a handful of millet, and, pouring it into the container, say the words:
“Millet grains are like suns. The hens will peck the millet and lay golden eggs. Gold flows into my house! Amen".
Then take a handful of sunflower seeds in your hands and pour it into the millet with the words:
“Just as a sunflower grew and reached to the heavens, so wealth reaches out to me, sprouts from the ground, bears fruits and seeds. Amen".
After this, pour the bread crumbs into the same plate, saying the following words:
“Golden rye grows, God’s bread is baked and life is prolonged. Just as crumbs cannot turn into seeds, so no one can take away my wealth. Amen".
Mix the grains, seeds and crumbs in a bowl, wait until the candle burns out, and give the contents of the plate to the birds, saying the following words:
“As soon as the bird pecks the last grain, wealth will come to my doorstep! Amen".
Fortune telling on Easter cake
You can learn how the year will go for each family member by looking at the Easter cake. To do this, you need to knead the dough with your own hands and divide it into as many parts as there are people in your family.
Having formed the cakes, you need to name each one after one of your household members. After this, the cakes need to be baked, and after they are ready, carefully examine them.
- if the cake turns out to be the correct shape, evenly baked, then this relative will have a good and successful year;
- an Easter cake that is burnt or has fallen over on one side predicts many difficulties and illnesses;
- if the cake falls apart or burns, this is a big disaster.
Folk signs about happiness will help you find out about the joy and well-being that is on your doorstep. We wish you a happy Easter. Smile more often and don’t forget to press the buttons and
