Tsoureki Recipe
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5.0
9 reviews
Excellent
Tsoureki Recipe
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Foolproof Tsoureki recipe – traditional Greek Easter bread with mahleb and mastiha just like yiayia used to make! This slightly sweet and fluffy bread is perfect for Easter but delicious year-round.
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Ingredients
For the tsoureki
- 3 ½ cups (420g) bread flour
- ⅓ cup (70g) sugar
- 2 ½ tsp Rapid Rise Yeast (1 packet /7g)
- 1 tsp ground mahleb (mahlepi)
- ½ tsp ground mastic gum (mastiha)
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 orange , zest only
- ¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter , melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (120ml) milk room temperature
Topping
- 1 small egg , lightly beaten
- 3 tbsp flaked almonds
Instructions
- Measure the flour, yeast, sugar, salt, mahlepi and ground mastic gum into a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer. Stir briefly to combine.
- Add the zest, eggs, milk and melted butter. Beat together on a low speed setting using the dough hook attachment until a sticky dough forms. Continue to mix until the dough forms a ball and is smooth. Don’t be tempted to add more flour unless the dough is very sticky!
- Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel and place someplace warm to rise for an hour or until doubled. The dough should gently spring back if prodded with your finger.
- Tip the dough onto a lightly floured worktop and divide the dough into three pieces. I like to weigh the dough first to make sure each piece is of equal weight. Keep covered with plastic wrap.
- Shape each piece into a ball shape. Flatten first then tuck the ends into the centre and roll between your hands to form a ball.
- Flatten the ball with your hand and roll out to a rectangular shape. The dough may shrink as you are trying to roll it out. Leave it to rest for a few minutes then try again if that’s the case.
- Roll the dough into a log shape as you would do a Swiss roll. Press the edges down gently with your fingertips as you are rolling to seal.
- Roll each section into a rope of equal length.
- Pinch the edges of the ropes to seal and braid loosely. Tuck the ends under and transfer your braided bundle onto a lined baking sheet.
- Cover loosely with plastic wrap and rise for 60 - 90 minutes until your tsoureki is plump. Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with flaked almonds.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) for at least 30 minutes. Bake the bread for 40-45 minutes or until deeply golden and sounding hollow when tapped underneath. You may need to cover the tsoureki after 20 minutes to avoid it browning too much.
- Cool on a wire rack. Slice and serve!
Notes
- • Mastiha (mastic gum) Mastiha is the resin of a small evergreen shrub that grows on the Greek island of Chios. To use in Tsoureki you grind the small crystal gum drops to a fine powder in a pestle and mortar. A little goes a long way as mastiha has a strong and very distinctive flavor.
- • Mahlepi (a.k.a mahleb, mahlab) is the small kernel of a Persian cherry tree. Mahleb has a subtle cherry / almond, sweet woody flavor. You can buy powdered mahlepi online or in Greek specialist grocery stores. You can add a few drops almond extract if you can’t purchase any.
- Storing Tsoureki
- Your tsoureki should stay fresh for several days wrapped in a clean linen towel. It will taste amazing even after it starts becoming a little stale, simply pop a slice in the toaster to serve. You can also freeze the sliced loaf and toast directly from frozen.
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Nutrition Information
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Calories
178kcal
(9%)
Carbohydrates
27g
(9%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
6g
(9%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
39mg
(13%)
Sodium
115mg
(5%)
Potassium
95mg
(3%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
165IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
27mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16slices
Amount Per Serving
Calories 178 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 178kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 9% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 39mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 115mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 95mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 165IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 27mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
9 reviews
Excellent
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