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Tsoureki - Greek Easter Bread

Tsoureki is the traditional Greek Easter bread made on Holy Thursday in the lead up to Orthodox Easter. Follow the recipe and my step by step instructions. Before you know it, you'll be celebrating Easter like a Greek in no time! 

Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Additional Time
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 40 mins
Servings: 2 loaves
Calories: 2055 kcal
Course: Breakfast , Snacks
Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

  • 250 ml milk
  • 75 g butter unsalted
  • 650 g plain flour all-purpose
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 orange zested and juiced
  • 7 g yeast instant
  • 170 g sugar caster / superfine sugar
  • 125 ml orange juice
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 teaspoon mahlepi see note
For the glaze:
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • flaked or slivered almonds sesame seeds

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Warm the milk in a saucepan over low heat. Add the butter stirring it into the milk, so it melts. Allow to cool.
  2. In a large bowl place 100 grams of the flour with the yeast, salt, orange zest and one teaspoon of the sugar. Pour in the cooled milk/butter mixture in and beat with a wooden spoon until you have a mix which resembles a thick batter. Cover with saran (plastic) wrap and a towel and leave it to rest for about half an hour.
  3. When you return, your mixture should be bubbling and doubled in size—place in the remaining flour, sugar, orange juice, mahlepi and eggs.
  4. Mix until a soft dough forms. If you find it's sticky, add more flour. But be careful not to add too much. We're after an elastic, silky dough. Knead for 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can follow these instructions using a stand mixer.
  5. Once kneaded place in an oiled bowl and lightly oil the top of the dough. Cover with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel and allow to rest for one hour or until doubled in size.
  6. When you notice it has doubled take it out and divide the mixture in two. With one of the halves, split into three equal portions and shape these three portions into "ropes". They should be of the same width and length. Mine measured approximately 30 cms.
  7. Lay down the tsoureki ropes in front of you. Join the top ends of the tsoureki with your fingers and squeeze so they stick together. Form a plait and tuck in the bottom ends so they stick together also. Brush with the glaze and add any almonds or sesame seeds on the top.
  8. Bake in a preheated 180 deg C fan forced / 200 deg C standard oven for 25 minutes until golden. They should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Allow cooling on a wire rack completely before slicing and serving,

Notes

  • Have patience.  
  • As is usual with bread recipes, there's a little time waiting for the dough to prove. However, follow the instructions, and you can't go wrong.
  • Weigh the dough.
  •   I cannot stress this enough. When dividing the dough into ropes - make sure they are all even.
  • Room temperature ingredients.
  •   All the ingredients should be at room temperature for the best success and allow the dough to rise evenly.
  • Check your yeast.
  •   For any yeast-based sweet bread, ensure that your yeast is active. If you see no bubbles in the first blooming stage, start again with active yeast.
  • Have patience.  As is usual with bread recipes, there's a little time waiting for the dough to prove. However, follow the instructions, and you can't go wrong.
  • Weigh the dough.  I cannot stress this enough. When dividing the dough into ropes - make sure they are all even.
  • Room temperature ingredients.  All the ingredients should be at room temperature for the best success and allow the dough to rise evenly.
  • Check your yeast.  For any yeast-based sweet bread, ensure that your yeast is active. If you see no bubbles in the first blooming stage, start again with active yeast.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1loaf Calories 2055kcal (103%) Carbohydrates 356g (119%) Protein 50g (100%) Fat 47g (72%) Saturated Fat 25g (125%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2loaves

Amount Per Serving

Calories 2055

% Daily Value*

Serving 1loaf
Calories 2055kcal 103%
Carbohydrates 356g 119%
Protein 50g 100%
Fat 47g 72%
Saturated Fat 25g 125%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.