How to Make Yia Yia's Tsoureki (Greek Easter Bread) - A Step-by-Step Guide

Yia Yia's Tsoureki, also known as Greek Easter Bread, is a traditional sweet bread that is a staple in Greek households during the Easter holiday. This delicious bread is infused with aromatic flavors such as mahlepi and mastiha, giving it a distinctive and indulgent taste. It is often braided and topped with sesame seeds or almonds, making it a visually stunning addition to any Easter spread.

While there are many variations of Tsoureki, each family has their own cherished recipe that...

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Ingredients

  • 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup warm water (110 degrees F (43 degrees C))
  • 6 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • ½ cup butter
  • ¼ cup shortening (such as Crisco®)
  • 1 teaspoon ground mastic (Optional)
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 eggs at room temperature, beaten
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds (Optional)
  • ½ cup water at room temperature
  • 2 red-dyed eggs (Optional)
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds (Optional)
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (Optional)

Information

  • Prep Time: 45 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Additional Time: 4 hrs 30 mins
  • Total Time: 5 hrs 40 mins
  • Servings: 20
  • Yield: 2 loaves

  • Pour yeast into a small bowl; add warm water and 1/4 cup of flour. Stir, cover with two damp kitchen towels, and leave in a warm place until bubbly, about 2 1/2 hours.
  • Combine butter, shortening, and mastic in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
  • Stir milk and sugar together in another saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture is warm. Remove from heat.
  • Pour 2 cups flour into the butter mixture and stir well. Add salt, then stir in the yeast mixture. Add 2 more cups of flour and stir well. Stir in 3 beaten eggs. Slowly add the milk mixture and 1 cup of flour and stir well. Add the room-temperature water and the last cup of flour and stir until the dough is not sticky.
  • Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 20 minutes with lightly floured hands. Form dough into a ball. Cover with damp towels and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease two baking sheets.
  • Divide dough into two pieces and separate each piece into three strands. Braid each of the 3 strands together to form 2 braided loaves. Place on the baking sheets. Nestle the red-dyed eggs between the strands. Brush the dough with the remaining beaten egg. Sprinkle the tops with almonds and sesame seeds.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
  • Nutrition

    293 cal.

    • Total Fat: 11g
    • Saturated Fat: 4g
    • Cholesterol: 67mg
    • Sodium: 116mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 42g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 11g
    • Protein: 7g
    • Calcium: 45mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 113mg