In 2025, Orthodox and Catholic Christians in Kazakhstan will celebrate Easter on April 20. As families prepare for this joyous occasion, they will engage in traditional practices such as baking Easter cakes and dyeing eggs. A recent analysis by Digital Business has revealed the costs associated with these preparations, providing insight into the financial aspects of the holiday.
For dyeing eggs, families typically need around 30 eggs: 20 for coloring, five for the cakes, and five for snacking during the preparation process. The costs break down as follows:
- Eggs: 2,100 tenge (700 tenge per dozen)
- Dye: 800 tenge
- Stickers: 900 tenge
- Thermal labels: 80 tenge
This brings the total cost for eggs to approximately 3,880 tenge.
When it comes to baking Easter cakes, the expenses include:
- Yeast: 280 tenge
- Flour: 700 tenge
- Milk: 720 tenge
- Butter: 1,200 tenge
- Vegetable oil: 850 tenge
- Sugar: 460 tenge
- Vanilla sugar: 120 tenge
- Salt: 100 tenge
- Raisins: 1,200 tenge
- Candied fruits: 700 tenge
- Packaging (5 pieces x 2): 1,000 tenge
The total cost for preparing Easter cakes amounts to about 6,530 tenge.
In total, a Kazakh family preparing 20 eggs and one batch of dough for Easter cakes will spend approximately 10,410 tenge on their holiday preparations in 2025.
Digital Business has also shared a traditional recipe for Easter cake, reminiscent of the kind made by grandmothers. To achieve fluffy and flavorful cakes, it's essential to follow the correct preparation techniques. The ingredients for the classic Easter cake include:
- 50g fresh yeast or 20g dry yeast
- 1-1.2 kg flour
- 350 ml milk
- 250 g butter
- 80 ml vegetable oil
- 5 eggs
- 300-400 g sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 150 g raisins
- 150 g candied fruits
The preparation begins with checking the quality of the yeast. To do this, pour 50 ml of warm milk (no more than 35°C) into a bowl, add one tablespoon of sugar and 50 g of fresh yeast, and mix thoroughly. Let it sit for 15 minutes in a warm place. If the yeast is active, foam will appear on the surface.
Once the yeast is ready, the next step is to prepare the sponge. In a large bowl, pour 300 ml of warm milk, sift in about 180 g of flour, and add the yeast mixture. Mix and let it sit for 40 minutes in a warm place until it increases in volume.
Meanwhile, separate the egg yolks from the whites. Add a pinch of salt, 300-400 g of sugar, and one teaspoon of vanilla sugar to the yolks. Whisk until thick (adding a spoonful of milk if necessary for better mixing). Once the sponge has risen, combine it with the egg mixture and the egg whites, mixing thoroughly.
Gradually add the butter and vegetable oil while kneading the dough. Sift in the remaining flour and continue kneading until the dough becomes elastic and homogeneous. Remember, rich dough is stickier and heavier, but it yields the tastiest Easter cakes.
After kneading, fold in the raisins and candied fruits evenly throughout the dough. Divide the dough into several parts based on the number of cakes. Fill the baking forms no more than one-third full. Cover the cakes with a towel and let them rise for another hour.
Before baking, brush the tops of the cakes with a mixture of egg yolk and a spoonful of milk. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C until golden brown.
To ensure perfect Easter cakes, experts recommend using only fresh yeast for fluffy dough, proper kneading, allowing enough time for the dough to rise, and adding raisins and candied fruits for sweetness and flavor.
Meanwhile, in Russia, Easter celebrations are also underway, with various churches preparing for the blessing of eggs and cakes. In Strelna, the Svyato-Troitskaya Sergius Primorskaya Male Monastery will hold blessings on April 19 from 12:00 to 21:00 and on April 20 from midnight after the night service and from 12:00 to 19:00. The Church of St. Martyr Trifon will bless on April 19 from 20:00 to 22:00.
In Peterhof, blessings will take place at the Cathedral of the Holy First Apostles Peter and Paul on April 19 from 12:00 to 22:00 and on April 20 from 12:00 to 16:00. Similarly, in Lomonosov, the Cathedral of Archangel Michael will hold blessings after the Liturgy on April 19.
As Easter approaches, the weather plays a significant role in the celebrations. In Moscow, temperatures are expected to reach a warm 22-24 degrees Celsius, reminiscent of summer weather, according to Evgeny Tishkovets from the Phobos weather center. In contrast, St. Petersburg will experience cooler temperatures of 11-12 degrees with a high chance of rain.
Overall, Easter 2025 promises to be a unique celebration, with both Orthodox and Catholic Christians coming together on the same day, a rarity since 2017. As families prepare their festive meals and participate in church services, the spirit of unity and joy will undoubtedly fill the air.
