Lunch: Easter Kugelhopf

This golden coffee cake with a rich buttery flavor is a German specialty and is named after its decorative baking pan. If you don't have a kugelhopf pan, feel free to use a Bundt pan when making Easter breads.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon

Health benefits of Easter Kugelhopf

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

1/2 cup lukewarm water
3/4 cup plus 1 tsp. granulated sugar
2 (1/4 oz.) packages active dry yeast
2 sticks (1/2 lb.) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for serving
6 large eggs
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Instructions

Stir together water and 1 tsp. sugar in a bowl. Sprinkle with yeast and let stand until foamy, 5 minutes. Butter and flour a 10-cup Kugelhopf or Bundt pan.
Using an electric mixer, cream butter and remaining 3/4 cup sugar on low speed for about 30 seconds, then increase to mediumhigh and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, beating well after each. (Mixture will look curdled.) Beat in lemon peel, salt and vanilla. Add yeast mixture; gradually add 2 cups flour. Beat on medium, scraping bowl, until smooth, 5 minutes. Gradually add remaining flour; beat until dough is elastic. Stir in raisins.
Butter a bowl. Transfer dough to it, cover with a towel, and let rise until doubled in bulk, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Punch dough down and stir in almonds. Transfer dough to prepared pan, cover with a towel and let rise until dough is within 1/2 inch of top of mold, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 475 °F. Bake Kugelhopf until golden, about 8 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 °F and bake until a cake tester comes out clean, 30 minutes. Let Kugelhopf cool for 5 minutes, then turn out of pan onto a rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar; slice with a serrated knife; serve with butter.