Koleda Leb (Macedonian Christmas Eve Bread)

It is Christmas Eve for many of us today, but for Orthodox Christians in Macedonia, Christmas celebrations begin on the evening of January 5th- January 6 with Koleda (Christmas Eve) and Christmas day is January 7th. Here is a bread to give to Children on Koleda, Koleda Leb. You can shape them into bicycles for boys or dolls for girls. My bicycles turned out ok enough, but my dolls still need some work. Chad asked why I made bread shaped like a mummy for Christmas. I topped mine with a little powdered sugar to hide some of the imperfections.

To make the bicycle shape: roll a piece into a long rope. Equally coil each side in opposite directions towards the center.

To make the doll shape: form one piece into an oval. Pinch in about an inch from the top to form the head. Cut out and separate the arms and legs. Divide the small golf ball piece into 2 halves. Roll one into a long, thin rope. Save the other for another piece. Wrap the rope around the head, cross at the chest, and fold under the armpits. Make sure it is long enough to actually wrap under the armpits. Mine was a little short, just barely touching, and shrunk quite a bit during baking. Form eyes and a mouth by pinching with your fingers.

Koleda Leb (Macedonian Christmas Eve Bread)

Adapted from Village Feast

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Koleda Leb (Macedonian Christmas Eve Bread)

Course Bread

Cuisine Macedonian

Keyword bread, Christmas, Christmas Eve, Macedonia, Macedonian

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Resting Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes

Servings 4 Small Loaves

Ingredients

Sponge:

• 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoons caster sugar
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) warm water (105-115 degrees F)

Dough:

• 2 1/2 cups (330 g) bread flour sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (250 ml) warm water 105-115 degrees F

Instructions

• In a small bowl, combine the tablespoon flour, yeast, sugar, and 1/4 cup warm water. Let sit until frothy, 10 minutes.
• In the bowl of a large food processor fitted with a dough blade or a large bowl, combine bread flour and salt. Slowly add in the yeast mixture and 1 cup water until dough comes together. Continue to knead in bowl until smooth. The dough will be sticky. Cover and let rise until doubled, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Lightly knead the dough and place on floured surface. Lightly dust with flour. Take a small, golf ball sized, piece off and divide the rest into four equal pieces. Knead each piece for a couple of minutes to remove any excess air and stickiness.
• To make the bicycle shape: roll a piece into a long rope. Equally coil each side in opposite directions towards the center.
• To make the doll shape: form one piece into an oval. Pinch in about an inch from the top to form the head. Cut out and separate the arms and legs. Divide the small golf ball piece into 2 halves. Roll one into a long, thin rope. Save the other for another piece. Wrap the rope around the head, cross at the chest, and fold under the armpits. Form eyes and a mouth by pinching with your fingers.
• Place each formed piece on baking sheet lined with parchment or oiled and dusted with flour. Lightly sprinkle the tops with flour and cover with a cloth. Let rise until puffy, 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 390 degrees F.
• Bake in preheated oven until beginning to turn golden brown, 10 minutes. Lightly cover with foil and continue to bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 215 degrees F, remove foil, and bake for another 10 minutes.
• Wrap bread in cloth to keep warm until serving.