Tsoureki is a Greek braided bread traditionally eaten on Easter. A sweet holiday dough made with flour, milk, butter and sugar and seasoned with lemon zest, and anise seed. It is customary to place dyed red eggs in between the braid to crown this traditional bread.
Nothing is better than a freshly baked bread, the smell and the tastes from this particular recipe really are something special.
To make Tsoureki (Traditional Greek Easter Bread), you will need the following ingredients:
In a small bowl, combine 3¼ teaspoons of active dry yeast with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 1 cup of warm milk. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer on low speed combine 4½ cups of flour, the remaining sugar, 1½ tablespoons of lemon zest, 1½ teaspoons of anise, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Continue mixing on low speed, add 4 eggs, the yeast mixture and 6 tablespoons of melted butter. Beat until a firm dough forms, adding more flour as needed.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until soft and elastic. Roll into a ball.
Transfer the dough to a well greased bowl and turn to coat all sides of the dough. Cover with a kitchen towel and set aside in a warm place for about 1 hour to rise until the dough has doubled in volume.
Punch down into the dough to release excess air and divide into 3 equal pieces about 15 ounces each. Roll out one piece into a 2½-foot log-shape and repeat with the other 2 pieces. Braid the three pieces together and seal the ends by folding them under.
Transfer the loaf to a lined baking sheet. Sporadically place 3 dyed eggs in between the grooves of the braid.
Cover with a kitchen towel and set aside for about 40 minutes to rise until the dough has doubled in volume.
Preheat the oven to 350 °F.
Brush the loaf with 1 beaten egg white.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes until golden on the outside and a hollow sound is made when tapped.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool then serve at room temperature.
Enjoy bringing some different cultural foods to your table this Easter with our Tsoureki recipe. Do you love this new idea? Let us know and contact us online using the hashtag #cookmerecipes!
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