Tsoureki (Sweet Greek Easter Bread)

Submitted by buelow

"This recipe was passed down to me from my Greek aunt. Traditionally the bread was made exclusively for Easter celebrations and had red-dyed hard boiled eggs nestled in the braids of the loaf. Nowadays the bread is popular at breakfast and is served all year round, without the hard boiled eggs."

 

• Ready In: 37mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Yields: 2 loaves
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 4 1⁄2 - 5 1⁄2 cups flour
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons yeast
• 3 eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

directions

1. Heat milk and whisk in 1½ cups flour, sugar, and yeast.
2. Cover with plastic and let stand for ~30 minutes.
3. Add eggs one at a time.
4. Add another cup flour, orange zest, and salt. Then add butter, vanilla, and orange juice. Gradually add remaining flour, kneading until smooth.
5. Coat a bowl with oil and roll dough in it to coat. Cover with plastic and let rise for 1½ hour. Preheat oven to 400.
6. Make braids with the dough (2 loaves).
7. Mix egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water. Brush loaves with mixture.
8. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 and bake 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes.