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.
- 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. Shaped into small round rolls, generously topped with fluffy buttercream and rainbow sprinkles, this is a beloved Easter tradition in Mennonite communities descended from…
📌 diy📌 traditional4/4/2026, 11:31:57 PM
🛠️ Stand mixer or large mixing bowl, blender, baking sheets, mixing bowls
- Italian Pane di Pasqua — Braided wreath with dyed eggs and anise glaze4
A sweet, soft braided bread ring with brightly colored raw eggs nestled into the dough, glazed with a simple icing and sprinkles. An overnight sponge deepens the flavor and gives a tender crumb; the braided shape traditionally represents the Holy Trinity and the eggs symbolize rebirth.
📌 diy📌 traditional4/4/2026, 11:31:46 PM
🛠️ Stand mixer with dough hook, baking sheet, parchment paper, mixing bowls, egg dye kit
- Russian Kulich — Tall saffron-scented bread with white chocolate glaze4
Russia's iconic Easter bread: a tall, dome-topped cylinder with an aromatic, buttery crumb tinted gold with saffron. Glazed with melted white chocolate and finished with sprinkles, kulich is traditionally served alongside paskha (a molded cheese dessert) and colored eggs.
📌 diy📌 traditional4/4/2026, 11:31:31 PM
🛠️ Stand mixer with dough hook, tall kulich pans or panettone molds, small saucepan, mixing bowls
- Ukrainian Paska — Tall enriched loaf with raisins and sweet glaze4
A rich, tall Easter bread with a cake-like crumb studded with raisins and a sweet powdered-sugar glaze. Baked in cylindrical molds and traditionally brought to church for blessing on Easter morning alongside pysanky, 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
- Romanian Pașcă — Sweet dough tart with braided rim and cheese filling4
A showstopping Easter centerpiece where sweet yeast dough forms a braided shell around a creamy lemon-scented cheese filling. The contrast of tender braided bread and silky ricotta custard makes it closer to a cheesecake-bread hybrid than a plain loaf.
📌 diy📌 traditional4/4/2026, 11:31:15 PM
🛠️ Stand mixer with dough hook, 9-inch springform pan, rolling pin, mixing bowls, pastry brush