adfree-recipe

We use cookies

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our cookie policy.

By clicking "Accept", you agree to our use of cookies.
Our cookie policy.

Yia Yia's Tsoureki (Greek Easter Bread)
0 Likes
Prep Time:
45 minutes
Cook Time:
25 minutes
Total Time:
340 minutes
Make Greek Easter bread, tsoureki, using unique mastic-infused dough for two sweet, soft braided loaves.
Ingredients:
  • 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
  • 0.25 cup warm water (110 degrees F (43 degrees C))
  • 6.25 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 0.5 cup butter
  • 0.25 cup shortening (such as Crisco®)
  • 1 teaspoon ground mastic
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 3 eggs at room temperature, beaten
  • 0.25 cup sliced almonds
  • 0.5 cup water at room temperature
  • 2 red-dyed eggs
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Instructions:
  • In a small bowl, mix yeast, warm water, and 1/4 cup of flour. Stir well, cover with damp kitchen towels, and let it sit in a cozy spot until it becomes bubbly, approximately 2 1/2 hours.
  • In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter, shortening, and mastic together.
  • Combine milk and sugar in a separate saucepan over gentle heat until sugar is fully dissolved and mixture is gently warmed. Then, remove from heat.
  • - Combine 2 cups of flour with the butter mixture, stirring until well incorporated. Then, mix in the salt followed by the yeast mixture. - Incorporate 2 more cups of flour and mix well. Add in 3 beaten eggs. - Slowly pour in the milk mixture along with 1 cup of flour, stirring until combined. - Finally, fold in the room-temperature water and the remaining cup of flour until the dough comes together and is no longer sticky.
  • On a lightly floured surface, knead dough for 20 minutes using floured hands until smooth. Shape dough into a ball. Cover with damp towels and allow to rise in a warm spot until doubled in volume, around 2 hours.
  • Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) and grease two baking sheets.
  • Divide the dough into two pieces and shape each piece into three strands. Braid the strands to create two loaves. Place the braided loaves on baking sheets. Tuck the red-dyed eggs between the strands. Brush the dough with the remaining beaten egg and top with almonds and sesame seeds.
  • Bake until beautifully golden brown in the preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes.

Similar Recipes