Tsoureki - Greek Sweet Bread
Tsoureki is a traditional Greek braided bread most often baked for Easter. The dough is soft, sweet, and rich in flavor, made special by the addition of orange zest and mahlep spice. In Greece, every family has its own tsoureki recipe passed down through generations. The bread is often decorated with red eggs, which are part of the Easter tradition, but it is also excellent on its own for breakfast or as a dessert.
Ingredients for this recipe
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Preparation Steps
1
In a small bowl, combine the lukewarm milk, yeast, and a tablespoon of sugar. Let it stand for 10 minutes, until foamy.
2
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, remaining sugar, salt, and grated orange zest.
3
Add the yeast mixture, eggs, and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Mix well, then begin to knead the dough.
4
Knead the dough for 10-12 minutes, until it is elastic and smooth. If the dough is too sticky, add a little flour.
5
Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
6
Divide the risen dough into three equal parts. Roll each part into a long rope, then braid them together into a loose loaf.
7
Place the braided loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
8
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Brush the top of the loaf with beaten egg and sprinkle with sliced almonds.
9
Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown and the inside is cooked through.
10
Let it cool completely before slicing and serving with butter or jam.
