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–+ servings
slices of tsoureki

Tsoureki (Greek Easter Bread)

Angelina
This is the best tsoureki recipe! This traditional Greek Easter bread is soft and fluffy, lightly sweetened, and flavored with aromatic spices. Serve it for Easter brunch! 
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 4 hours
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 5 hours
Course Bread
Cuisine Greek
Servings 2 loaves
Calories 220 kcal

Ingredients 

Starter

  • 3 packs 3/4 oz (21 g) active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 cup 31 g bread flour
  • 1/2 cup 120 ml milk, lukewarm

Tsoureki

  • 7 3/4 cups 969 g bread flour
  • 3 tsp 14 g mahlepi
  • 1 tsp 3 g mastic resin
  • 5 green cardamom pods 2 g
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 eggs room temperature
  • 1 3/4 cups 385 g sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • zest from 1 orange
  • 3/4 cup 180 ml milk, lukewarm
  • 3/4 cup 170 g butter, melted

Topping

  • 1 egg yolk plus 1 tbsp milk for egg wash
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds optional

Instructions 

  • Starter: In a medium size bowl, active dry yeast, sugar, flour, and lukewarm milk. Make sure that your milk is not too hot, or else you will kill the yeast. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set mixture aside for 15 minutes. The yeast will begin to bubble and activate.
  • Grind the spices by placing the mahlepi, mastic gum, cardamom pods, and salt in the bowl of a small food processor or blender. Process until the mixture is powdery.
  • Sift the flour and ground spices in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, orange zest, and milk.
  • Add the starter to the sifted flour/spice mixture. Add the egg mixture and then the melted butter. Using your dough hook attachment, mix on low speed for 10 minutes. Increase the speed to medium and knead for another 5 minutes. The dough will start to pull away from the sides of the mixing bowl.
  • Transfer the dough to a large greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and place it in a dark, warm spot of your kitchen (like your oven or in the microwave). Let the dough rise for 2 hours. After 2 hours, the dough will double in volume. Uncover it and punch it down. Knead the dough by hand for about 5 minutes. Then, cover the bowl and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
  • After the second rise, transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough in half. Each half will make 1 loaf. For the classic three-strand braid, divide a half into three balls. Roll each section into long ropes, then form a braid. Repeat the process with the second half. Check out the video for a 4-strand braid.
  • Once your loaves are shaped, place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Cover the baking sheet and let rise for another 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Gently brush with egg wash. Sprinkle with sliced almonds. Bake in preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Transfer bread to a wire rack and allow to cool for about 30 minutes. Slice and enjoy!

Notes

Store tsoureki: Tsoureki will last for up to 1 week tightly covered at room temperature, before getting too hard. You can warm up a slice of tsoureki in the toaster.
Freeze tsoureki: Wrap a completely cool tsoureki in aluminum foil and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost the tsoureki at room temperature, and then pop the wrapped bread into a 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 6gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 83mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12g
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