Koulitch (kulich)

Instructions

1. In a bowl, dissolve the yeast and a spoonful of sugar in the lukewarm milk and let it foam for 10 minutes.
2. Mix the flour, the rest of the sugar, the salt and the vanilla sugar in a large bowl.
3. Add the beaten eggs and the risen mixture, then knead for 10 minutes until you get a stretchy dough.
4. Work in the soft butter a little at a time, then the raisins and the orange zest.
5. Cover and let rise for 1 hour 30 minutes until doubled in size.
6. Punch the dough down and divide it between 3 buttered cylindrical molds, filling them two-thirds full, then let rise for 45 minutes.
7. Bake at 170 °C for 40 to 45 minutes, checking the center with a knife blade.
8. Let cool, then spread the icing over the top by mixing the icing sugar with the lemon juice.