How to Make Greek Easter Bread - A Step-by-Step Guide

Greek Easter bread, also known as Tsoureki, is a traditional sweet bread that is commonly enjoyed during the Easter holiday in Greece and many other Mediterranean countries. This rich and aromatic bread is a staple of the Greek Easter table, and is often enjoyed alongside other festive dishes and treats.

What sets Tsoureki apart from other breads is its unique combination of flavors and textures. The dough is enriched with butter, eggs, and milk, which gives it a soft and tender crumb...

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Ingredients

  • 5 ½ cups high-gluten flour, divided
  • 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Additional Time: 3 hrs
  • Total Time: 3 hrs 45 mins
  • Servings: 16
  • Yield: 2 loaves

  • Mix 2 cups flour and yeast together in the bowl of a stand mixer.
  • Stir milk, butter, sugar, and salt together in a saucepan; heat and stir over medium-low heat until the mixture is smooth and the temperature is between 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) to 100 degrees F (37 degrees C).
  • Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture, add eggs, and beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Increase speed to high and beat for 3 minutes more. Add 1 cup flour and 3 tablespoons orange juice to the mixture; mix on high for 3 minutes more.
  • Fit the mixer with a dough hook. Add remaining flour to the mixture; beat with dough hook until the flour is completely incorporated.
  • Grease a glass bowl. Put dough into the bowl. Let dough rise until doubled in volume, 1 to 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Punch dough down. Divide the dough into two halves. Split each half into three even pieces, roll each piece into a cylinder, and braid into loaves. Put loaves onto a baking sheet. Let rise, about 1 hour.
  • Bake in preheated oven until the middle is baked, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Stir confectioners' sugar and 1 tablespoon orange juice together in a bowl; brush onto the tops of the loaves.
  • Nutrition

    312 cal.

    • Total Fat: 7g
    • Saturated Fat: 4g
    • Cholesterol: 40mg
    • Sodium: 202mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 31g
    • Dietary Fiber: 0g
    • Total Sugars: 15g
    • Protein: 28g
    • Vitamin C: 2mg
    • Calcium: 24mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 80mg