Tsoureki (Greek Easter Sweet Bread)

May 08, 2023May 8, 20230 13
Traditional Greek Easter Sweet Bread Recipe - Tsoureki
in Bread

Prep

180 min

Cook

60 min

Ready In

240 min

Level

Difficult

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
Loading...

Ingredients

2 cups milk
2 envelopes active dry yeast
8 -9 cups bread flour
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 cup almonds , very finely chopped ( optional )
1 teaspoon salt
1 orange , zest of , grated
2 teaspoons finely ground anise seed or 1 tablespoon mahlepi
1 teaspoon ground masticha ( optional )
1/4 cup butter , melted
5 eggs , very well beaten
1 egg yolk
2 -3 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup slivered almonds

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
12
Calories
502
Sugar
34g
Fat
14g
Tsoureki, a traditional Greek sweet bread, is a popular dish served during Easter in Greece. It is a braided bread, and its sweet aroma fills the air as it bakes. Tsoureki is a slightly sweet bread infused with the flavors of orange zest, anise seed, and masticha. It has a soft, airy texture with a slightly sweet crust that will melt in your mouth. The bread is often served as an accompaniment to traditional Greek Easter soup or as a delicious breakfast treat. It is loved by all and is a staple in many Greek households.

Instructions

1.Warm up the milk and dissolve the yeast in it, mixing well.
2.Pour 3 cups of the flour into a large mixing bowl and add the sugar, almonds, salt, orange zest, anise seed or mahlepi, and masticha if you choose to use it. Mix well.
3.Beat 4 of the eggs and add them to the mix along with the melted butter. Combine everything thoroughly.
4.Add the yeast mixture next and mix again, gradually adding the rest of the flour until the dough is soft.
5.Knead the dough together for 10 minutes, then cover it with a dishcloth and let it rise for 2 hours.
6.Take the dough out of the bowl and divide it into three sections. Braid the sections together and place the braided loaf onto a greased and floured baking sheet.
7.Cover with the dishcloth and let the dough rise for another hour.
8.Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) while beating the remaining egg yolk with 2 tablespoons of milk. Brush the mixture over the top of the loaf and sprinkle slivered almonds on top.
9.Bake the bread for 45-60 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Remove from the oven, let cool, and slice to serve.

PROS

Tsoureki is a sweet and aromatic bread that’s perfect for Easter, brunch, or a sweet snack.
The almonds, orange zest, and anise seed give the bread unique flavor.
The braided shape makes it beautifully appealing when serving.

CONS

This traditional Greek Easter bread takes quite a bit of time and effort to make.
It’s also higher in calories than a plain loaf of bread, due to the sugar and butter added to it.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Tsoureki can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet as it contains protein, fiber, and essential vitamins. Almonds are high in protein and fiber, while also having healthy fats, essential for maintaining good heart health. Anise seed is often used as a home remedy for digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties which help protect the heart.

Print

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.