Experience a taste of Lithuanian tradition with Vaisių Pyragas, a fruit bread that’s as delightful as it is comforting. This classic recipe combines the warm, aromatic flavors of cinnamon and orange zest with the natural sweetness of dried apricots, raisins, and crunchy walnuts. Made with a soft, buttery yeast dough, this bread boasts a mildly sweet profile—perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee. Each slice is a harmonious balance of chewy dried fruits and nutty goodness, making it an irresistible treat for breakfast, dessert, or a mid-afternoon snack. Whether you’re savoring it fresh or toasted with a pat of butter, this Lithuanian fruit bread is a heartwarming way to connect with Baltic culinary heritage.
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In a small saucepan, warm the milk until it is lukewarm (around 38°C or 100°F). Stir in the sugar and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and ground cinnamon.
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and mix them with melted butter, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
Pour the yeast mixture and the egg mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until a soft dough forms.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for approximately 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
In the meantime, chop the dried apricots into small pieces. Toss the apricots, raisins, and walnuts in a tablespoon of flour to coat them lightly; this helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the bread during baking.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and knead in the dried fruits and walnuts until they are evenly distributed.
Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in the prepared pan. Cover it loosely and let it rise again for 30 minutes.
Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve as a delightful tea-time treat!
Serving size | (1292.6g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 3754.8 |
Total Fat 90.4g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 14.8g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g | |
Cholesterol 402.9mg | 0% |
Sodium 2641.1mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate 657.2g | 0% |
Dietary Fiber 36.8g | 0% |
Total Sugars 226.0g | |
Protein 99.2g | 0% |
Vitamin D 195.4IU | 0% |
Calcium 658.5mg | 0% |
Iron 31.9mg | 0% |
Potassium 3482.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories