Description
Traditional Greek Tsoureki is a soft, sweet, and fragrant braided bread, enriched with eggs, butter, and flavored with mahleb or vanilla and orange zest. Perfect for festive occasions, this homemade bread boasts a tender crumb and a golden crust topped with sliced almonds.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 500 g bread flour
- 3 large eggs
- 100 g butter, melted
- 120 g sugar
- 7 g dry yeast
- 120 ml warm milk
- 1 tsp ground mahleb or vanilla
- 1 tsp orange zest
Topping
- 1 egg, for egg wash
- 30 g sliced almonds
Instructions
- Activate yeast: Dissolve the dry yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 10 minutes until it becomes frothy and activated.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the bread flour, sugar, and ground mahleb or vanilla thoroughly.
- Add wet ingredients: Add the eggs, melted butter, orange zest, and the activated yeast mixture into the dry ingredients.
- Knead the dough: Knead all ingredients together until a smooth and soft dough forms, ensuring it is well combined and elastic.
- First rise: Cover the dough with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape dough: Divide the risen dough into equal strands, then braid the strands to form the traditional Tsoureki shape.
- Prepare for baking: Place the braided dough on a lined baking tray to prevent sticking.
- Egg wash and topping: Brush the surface of the dough with beaten egg wash and sprinkle evenly with sliced almonds for a golden, crunchy topping.
- Bake: Bake the bread in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and fully cooked through.
Notes
- Mahleb can be substituted with vanilla extract if unavailable, but it adds a unique flavor traditional to Tsoureki.
- Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Letting the dough rise until doubled is crucial for a light and airy bread.
- Brush the bread thoroughly with egg wash for a shiny, golden crust.
- You can add red-dyed eggs into the braid for a traditional Easter Tsoureki variation.
