How to bake Pasca (Easter bread)?
Pasca is an enriched Easter bread baked across Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, and diaspora communities worldwide. The name derives from the Greek word for Easter, itself from Aramaic for Passover. Each culture has its own version — from tall glazed loaves to cheese-filled tarts to braided rings with dyed eggs — but all share rich dough with eggs, butter, and sugar, and a central role in Easter celebrations.
- Romanian Pașcă — Sweet dough tart with braided rim and cheese filling5
A showstopping Easter centerpiece where sweet yeast dough forms a base and braided border, filled with a ricotta-like cheese custard. Romanian Pașcă is closer to a cheesecake-bread hybrid than a plain loaf — the creamy, lemon-scented filling bakes inside the braided shell, creating a striking…
📌 diy📌 traditional4/4/2026, 11:31:15 PM
🛠️ Stand mixer with dough hook, 9-inch springform pan, rolling pin, mixing bowls
- Ukrainian Paska — Tall enriched loaf with raisins and sweet glaze4
A rich, tall Easter bread with a soft, cake-like crumb studded with raisins and topped with a sweet powdered sugar glaze and sprinkles. This is the classic version baked in cylindrical molds and brought to church for blessing on Easter morning alongside pysanky (decorated eggs), sausage, and butter.
📌 diy📌 traditional4/4/2026, 11:30:59 PM
🛠️ Stand mixer with dough hook, paska molds or tall cylindrical pans, mixing bowls, whisk
- Russian Kulich — Tall saffron-scented bread with white chocolate glaze4
Russia’s iconic Easter bread is a tall, dome-topped cylinder with an aromatic, buttery crumb tinted golden with saffron. Kulich is baked in tall molds, glazed with melted white chocolate, and decorated with sprinkles. It is traditionally served alongside paskha (a molded cheese dessert) and colored…
📌 diy📌 traditional4/4/2026, 11:31:31 PM
🛠️ Stand mixer with dough hook, tall kulich pans or panettone molds, small saucepan, mixing bowls
- Italian Pane di Pasqua — Braided wreath with dyed eggs and anise glaze4
A sweet, soft braided bread ring with brightly colored eggs nestled into the dough, glazed with a simple icing and covered in sprinkles. This festive Italian Easter bread uses an overnight sponge for deeper flavor and a tender crumb. The braided shape traditionally represents the Holy Trinity, and…
📌 diy📌 traditional4/4/2026, 11:31:46 PM
🛠️ Stand mixer with dough hook, baking sheet, parchment paper, mixing bowls, egg dye kit
- Mennonite Paska — Soft citrus-scented rolls with buttercream icing4
A slightly sweet, pillowy bread with a distinctive citrus note from whole blended orange and lemon worked into the dough. Mennonite Paska is shaped into small round rolls rather than tall loaves, generously topped with fluffy buttercream icing and rainbow sprinkles. Brought to North America by…
📌 diy📌 traditional4/4/2026, 11:31:57 PM
🛠️ Stand mixer or large mixing bowl, blender, baking sheets, mixing bowls