The Most Delicious Chocolate Kulich

Stir a spoonful of sugar and the yeast into the warm milk until dissolved, then mix in about 2 cups of flour from the total amount. The batter should look like pancake batter. Leave the sponge to rise (about 30-40 minutes in a multi-cooker at 35-40°C).

Whisk 4 eggs with a mixer until fluffy. Add the sugar and vanilla, then beat until dissolved.

Soak the raisins in hot water beforehand. Drain, pat dry, and fold them into the risen sponge. Add the melted butter (melted in the microwave), orange zest, and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Stir the almond flakes and whipped eggs into the sponge. Mix well.

Add the remaining flour and knead the dough. Add a bit more flour if needed. Drizzle with vegetable or olive oil and mix again. The dough will be stretchy and sticky.

Break the chocolate bar into pieces, add a pat of butter, and melt in the microwave. Stir the melted chocolate into the dough and mix thoroughly. Transfer everything to a large pot and let it proof for an hour.

Line your baking pans with parchment paper and fill them halfway with the dough. Place the pans in the oven and turn it on to 50°C so the dough can rise again.

Bake the kuliches at 160-180°C for half an hour. Check for doneness with a wooden skewer. Do not remove the parchment paper until the baked kuliches have rested for 5-6 hours.