Slavski Kolač – Serbian ceremonial Slava bread

It’s been a long time since I’ve left you dough recipes, and I’ve really missed them. It’s strange because, really, I could make them more often. But I’m a restless soul and I love to make, create and try different recipes from all over the world, which sometimes leads me to postpone amazing creations like this one. Today I want to share with you how to make Slavski kolač – Serbian ceremonial Slava bread.

I have been saving recipes for this and similar sweet breads for about two years now, but I’m not going to tell you something you already know…. Always have recipes piling up, for one reason or another. I didn’t know how much I missed working with these doughs until I started working with it. For me, any work done with our hands transmits energy, whether it is painting, music, writing, carpentry or, in this case, cooking.

Personally, I find my space of peace when I am cooking.

It is the only place where I “disconnect from reality” and experience a dimension where I am really me. I can express myself, I can transmit my thoughts and emotions to what I am doing, without forgetting that the concept of time disappears completely. How important it is to find something that allows us to live like this.

For that reason, I have always thought and always will, that the magic ingredient in recipes comes from the person who makes them. Many times we eat something that our mother, grandmother or someone else has prepared, but when we make it ourselves, it doesn’t taste the same. Not even using the same quantities, ingredients or time. That essence cannot be seen nor can it be bought. That quality can only come from one person while carrying out the recipe. Little by little, seeing how the ingredients are transformed, participating in the process, transmits that love that gives soul to the elaboration.

I believe that this can be extended to anything we do in life. That is why we can appreciate differences in things. We perceive the energy that each person transmits to what they do and, best of all, we manage to make it become part of them. The magic of the human being.

Origin and significance of the Slavski kolač in Orthodox celebrations.

The recipe I bring you here is not only visually appealing, but the result is a wonderful sweet bread with a soft and delicate texture, full of sweet and citrusy aromas.

Slavski Kolač is a type of traditional Serbian bread made especially for the celebration of Slava, a Christian Orthodox religious holiday marking the veneration of the family’s patron saint. This holiday is unique to Serbian Orthodox families and is celebrated annually. Slavski kolač is a fundamental part of this celebration and is considered a symbol of prosperity and blessing for the family.

The importance of slavski kolač in the celebration of Slava shows the interconnectedness of religion, culture and gastronomy in the everyday life of Serbian Orthodox communities.

The shape of the bread is usually round and its peculiarity is its decoration. This is carried out by means of craftsmanship that takes shape thanks to the imagination of the person who makes it. It is often decorated with religious or family symbols.

The making of this Slavic bread is a traditional process that is passed down from generation to generation in many Serbian families, forming part of their cultural and religious heritage. The exact ingredients and techniques may vary according to region and family preferences, but typically involve flour, yeast, salt, sugar and is often flavoured with citrus fruits.

Slava’s celebration.

This is a unique religious and cultural holiday in the tradition of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is a family celebration that honours the family’s patron saint, who is considered a protector and spiritual guide. Each Serbian Orthodox family has its own patron saint, and the Slava celebration focuses on honouring that particular saint.

The Slava festivity usually begins with a visit to the church for special religious services dedicated to the family’s patron saint. After church, family and friends gather at the hosts’ home to enjoy a festive meal. Typical Slava food includes a wide variety of traditional Serbian dishes and, of course, the special bread called slavski kolač, which is an indispensable part of the celebration.

Each Slava is unique to each family and is celebrated with great reverence and joy.

During the Slava celebration, specific rituals are performed, including the blessing of bread and wine, as well as the lighting ceremony of a special candle called “slavska sveć“. The holiday also involves sharing family stories and traditions, strengthening family ties and passing on cultural heritage from generation to generation.

Undoubtedly, it is an integral part of Serbian identity and culture. It is an important occasion to bring family, friends and community together around shared faith and traditions.

When does Slava take place?

The celebration of Slava takes place on a specific day of the year, and this day corresponds to the day of the family’s patron saint. Each Serbian Orthodox family has its own patron saint, and the date of the Slava is based on the liturgical calendar of the Orthodox Church.

Most Slavas are celebrated on a fixed day of the Julian calendar, which is different from the Gregorian calendar used in most Western countries. This means that the dates of Slavas may vary compared to the Gregorian calendar, and some Slavas may coincide with important Orthodox holidays, while others may not.

For example, if the family’s patron saint is St. Nicholas, whose feast day in the Gregorian calendar falls on 6 December, then that family’s Slava would be celebrated on 19 December in the Julian calendar.

There are other similar elaborations.

Pasca, pogača, colac moldovenesc and Korovai have a certain similarity in appearance and tradition to slavski kolač. They all share ingredients, traditions and qualities handed down from generation to generation, but differences can be found between them.

Pasca.

A traditional type of sweet bread eaten during Easter in Orthodox communities, including those in Serbia. A sweet, enriched dough often made with simple ingredients such as eggs, butter, milk, sugar and sultanas. It is usually round or rectangular in shape and may be decorated with crosses or other religious symbols. Traditionally eaten during Easter celebrations and is an important part of the Orthodox culinary tradition. Some time ago I left you this recipe for Pasca.

Pogača.

Typically, it is a variety of flat, round bread found in several countries in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, including Serbia. There are many variants of pogača, some are fluffier and softer, while others are denser and crispier. They can be made with different ingredients and are served on a variety of occasions, from everyday meals to festive events. Pogača does not necessarily have a specific connection with a religious holiday such as pasca or slavski kolač.

Colac moldovenesc.

A traditional sweet bread variety from Moldova, a region located in south-eastern Europe, on the border between Romania and Ukraine. This bread is similar to Serbian ‘slavski kolač‘ in terms of its festive and decorative nature, but differs in shape and some variations in specific ingredients and decorations.

A sweet and fluffy dough that may include ingredients such as eggs, milk, butter, sugar, sultanas, nuts or candied fruit. It is often flavoured with vanilla, lemon zest or spices such as cinnamon and formed into a twisted loaf. Like ‘slavski kolač‘, ‘colac moldovenesc‘ is made especially for festive occasions and family celebrations, such as weddings, christenings, Christmas or Easter.

It has not only decorative value, but can also have symbolic meanings related to family unity and community. Like many traditional breads, colac moldovenesc is a symbol of abundance, prosperity and good intentions for those who make and share it. Here you can find the recipe to make it.

Korovai.

It is a traditional sweet bread preparation originating in Ukraine and is similar in certain respects to the sweet breads mentioned above, such as pasca, slavski kolač and colac moldovenesc. Although they have their regional and cultural differences, they share some similarities in terms of their cultural significance, their association with festive celebrations and rituals, and their production as a culinary art form. Korovai, like pasca, slavski kolač and colac moldovenesc, is made especially for festive and ceremonial occasions, such as weddings, christenings and other important celebrations. It is a symbol of abundance, prosperity and good fortune in Ukrainian culture, and is often elaborately decorated with traditional interlacing designs, figures and symbols. Some are true jewels of craftsmanship.

In addition, like the pasca and the slavski kolač, the korovai has symbolic and ritualistic significance in many celebrations. For example, in Ukrainian weddings, the korovai is one of the central elements of the wedding ceremony and is exchanged between the bride and groom as a symbol of union and prosperity.

Slavski kolač.

It is a special bread made specifically for the celebration of Slava, a Serbian Orthodox religious holiday marking the veneration of the family’s patron saint. Unlike pasca, which is specific to Easter, and pogača, which is a general type of bread, slavski kolač is directly associated with this Serbian religious holiday. The bread is usually round, elaborately decorated and considered a symbol of prosperity and blessings for the family during the Slava celebration.

We have seen that all of the above sweet breads, although they come from different regions and cultures, are all elaborations that share a common link in their role; to enrich and celebrate important events in people’s lives.

Authentic Slavski kolač decoration with religious motifs.

Traditionally, these breads are decorated with white dough and their designs include crosses, doves, flowers and squares that often include an inscription ‘krst‘ (cross), other inscriptions or religious symbols around the square. These inscriptions can include words or phrases such as “ХВ” (Христос Воскресе, “Christ is risen”) or “СХ” (Срећна слава, “Happy Slava”).

In my case I leave you some simpler and less religious elaborations, as I do not have these markers.