Traditional Greek Imbibed Yeast Loaf (Tsoureki) Recipe

Traditional Greek Imbibed Yeast Loaf (Tsoureki) Recipe

Bake a genuine Greek Easter bread with proper ingredients, and give it a unique taste with mahlepi and mastic! Here's how to make an authentic Tsoureki bread.

Required Ingredients:For an authentic taste, purchase high-quality mahlepi and mastic as follows:

• Mahlepi: Search for online suppliers, like Amazon or Agora Greek Delicacies, or import ingredients directly from Greece. To find more authentic sellers, consider looking within the European Union or buying directly from Greek producers.
• Mastic: Given that mastic has a Protected Designation of Origin in the EU, European sellers might offer more authentic options. Domestic Greek stores or exporters can also be checked. Order in advance to ensure timely delivery, as these ingredients have limited availability.

Recipe:Makes 10 - 12 servings, Medium difficulty, 4 hours total time, 20 minutes active time.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon warm milk (105°F to 115°F)
• 1 (1/4-oz.) packet active dry yeast (2 1/2 tsp.)
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. fine salt
• 1 tsp. ground mahlepi (optional)
• 1/4 tsp. pounded mastic crystals (optional)
• 8 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp. finely grated orange peel
• 1 red-dyed hard-boiled egg (optional)
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, heat 3/4 cup milk until warm. Transfer the milk to a large bowl, then add the yeast. Let sit for about 15 minutes to activate.
2. Sift the flour, sugar, salt, mahlepi (if using), and mastic (if using) into a large bowl.
3. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs, orange peel, and remaining 1 tbsp. butter until combined. Stir this mixture into the yeast mixture.
4. With a spoon, gradually add the flour mixture to the yeast-egg mixture, stirring until combined. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes.
5. Coat a baking sheet with remaining butter and place the dough on it. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 2 hours.
6. Remove plastic wrap. Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces (about 12 oz. each). Roll the pieces into 1 1/4" x 16 1/2" ropes, pinch ends together, and braid the ropes. If using the red-dyed egg, entwine it into the bread. Cover the braided dough with buttered plastic wrap and let rise for another hour.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk and remaining 1 tbsp. milk. Brush the mixture over the dough. Sprinkle almonds onto the dough, pressing them gently. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden and the internal temperature reaches 190°F. Let cool before serving.

Enjoy your delicious homemade Tsoureki bread with family and friends during Easter!

Fun Fact: Did you know that mahlepi is the seed kernel from the stone of the St. Lucie cherry, and mastic is the sap of the mastic tree growing across Greece and the Mediterranean? Incorporating these ingredients will give your Tsoureki bread an authentic Greek flavor!

This traditional Greek Easter bread, Tsoureki, is given a unique taste by using authentic mahlepi and mastic, symbols of Greek culture. To find high-quality mahlepi, research online suppliers like Amazon or Agora Greek Delicacies, or import directly from Greece. Mastic, being a Protected Designation of Origin in the EU, can be found in European sellers. Enjoy this cultural delicacy by serving it with family and friends during Easter, knowing that the ingredients you used represent Greek history and flavor.

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