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5.0 from 9 votes

Tsoureki Recipe

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.

Prep Time
15 hrs
Cook Time
mins
Rising Time
2 hrs
Total Time
17 hrs 40 mins
Servings: 16 slices
Calories: 178 kcal
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Greek

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

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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!
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Roll each section into a rope of equal length.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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

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

% 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.