Soft Hungarian Braided Sweet Bread (Foszlós Kalács)

Traditional Hungarian Sweet Bread — Light, Fluffy, and Beautifully Braided

There is something incredibly comforting about this Soft Hungarian Braided Sweet Bread, known in Hungary as foszlós kalács.This beautiful, airy sweet bread was always part of our Sundays and holidays. It’s soft, lightly sweet, enriched with butter and egg yolks, and braided the traditional Hungarian way — háromas fonás, a simple three-strand braid.

With just a few ingredients, you can create a tender, warm loaf that fills your home with the scent of sweet yeast dough and lemon zest. This recipe is perfect for beginners, easy to follow, and works beautifully whether you make mini braided buns or one large festive kalács.

Soft Hungarian Braided Sweet Bread — freshly baked and golden.

⭐ Ingredients of the Soft Hungarian Braided Sweet Bread (Makes ~12 Mini Kalács or 1 Large Loaf)

• 400 g all-purpose flour

• pinch of salt

• zest of ½ untreated lemon

• 60 g sugar

• 200 ml lukewarm milk

• 25 g fresh yeast

• 80 g butter (or margarine)

• 2 egg yolks

For brushing:

• 1 egg yolk + 1 tsp milk

⭐ Preparation

1. Activate the Yeast

Mix 1 tablespoon of sugar into the lukewarm milk. Crumble in the yeast and let it sit for about 10 minutes, until foamy.

2. Prepare the Dough

In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, remaining sugar, and lemon zest.Add the butter and crumble it into the flour mixture.Add the egg yolks, then pour in the foamy yeast mixture.Knead into a soft, silky dough.If it’s too sticky, add a little flour; if it’s too firm, add a splash of warm milk.

Cover the dough and let it rise until doubled (about 30 minutes).

3. Shape the Mini Braids

Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.Each piece should be divided again into 3 small parts.Roll each part into a thin rope (pencil thickness), then braid into mini kalács.

4. Second Rise

Place the small braids onto a lined baking tray and let them rest for 10–15 minutes.

5. Brush and Bake

Brush the tops with the egg yolk + milk mixture.Bake in a preheated 170°C (fan) oven for 14–15 minutes, or until beautifully golden.

⭐ Tips

• You can make one large kalács instead of mini buns. Simply braid 3 large ropes, let it rise for 10 minutes, then bake at 160°C.• Baking time for the large loaf is roughly double.• Freeze leftover egg whites — perfect for meringues or other desserts.

A warm slice of Hungarian Sweet Bread with morning coffee.

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