Greek Easter Bread Recipes: Celebrate The Season With Delicious Flavors

Greek Easter Bread Recipes: Celebrate The Season With Delicious Flavors

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Gluten Free With Silvana Gluten Free Greek Easter Bread (Tsoureki)
Gluten Free With Silvana Gluten Free Greek Easter Bread (Tsoureki) from www.glutenfreewithsilvana.com

Spring is here, and Easter is just around the corner. One of the best ways to celebrate this joyous occasion is by baking and sharing delicious Greek Easter bread. This traditional bread is a staple of Greek Easter, and it’s a tasty addition to any holiday feast.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a newbie in the kitchen, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll share two mouth-watering Greek Easter bread recipes that are easy to make and even easier to enjoy. So, grab your apron, preheat your oven, and let’s get started!

Recipe 1: Tsoureki – Traditional Greek Easter Bread

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground mahlepi (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon ground mastic (optional)
  • 1 egg yolk, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, mahlepi, and mastic. Set aside.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  3. In a small saucepan, heat the milk and butter until the butter is melted. Let cool to room temperature.
  4. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and milk mixture to the yeast mixture. Mix well.
  5. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
  6. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10-15 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  7. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
  8. Punch down the dough and divide it into three equal parts. Roll each part into a long rope and braid them together.
  9. Place the braided dough on a greased baking sheet and let rise for another hour.
  10. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  11. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and milk. Brush the mixture onto the bread.
  12. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown.
  13. Let the bread cool before serving.
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Nutritional Information:

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of the loaf)
  • Calories: 300
  • Total Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg
  • Sodium: 30mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 46g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g
  • Sugars: 14g
  • Protein: 7g

Cooking Time:

Total Time: 4 hours

Prep Time: 3 hours

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Equipment:

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Saucepan
  • Baking sheet
  • Basting brush

Serving Suggestions:

Serve sliced with butter or jam, or enjoy it plain with a cup of coffee or tea.

Variations:

You can add chopped nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips to the dough for added flavor and texture. You can also mix things up by using different extracts, such as almond or orange, instead of vanilla.

Substitutions:

If you don’t have mahlepi or mastic, you can leave them out or replace them with other spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg. You can also use almond milk or soy milk instead of cow’s milk if you prefer.

Storage:

Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the bread for up to 3 months.

Tips:

  • Make sure the milk and butter mixture has cooled to room temperature before adding it to the yeast mixture, or it could kill the yeast.
  • Don’t over-knead the dough, or it could become tough.
  • Make sure the dough has enough time to rise, or the bread will be dense.

Notes:

This recipe makes one large loaf of bread.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What is mahlepi?
  • Mahlepi is a spice made from the seeds of the St Lucie cherry. It has a sweet, nutty flavor and is commonly used in Greek and Middle Eastern baking.

  • What is mastic?
  • Mastic is a resin extracted from the mastic tree. It has a unique, pine-like flavor and is also used in Greek and Middle Eastern cooking.

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Recipe 2: Koulouri – Greek Easter Bread Rings

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1/2 cup warm milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  3. Add the milk, vegetable oil, egg, and yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix well.
  4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10-15 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
  6. Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal parts.
  7. Roll each part into a long rope and form it into a circle, pinching the ends together to seal.
  8. Place the rings on a greased baking sheet, cover with a damp towel, and let rise for another 30 minutes.
  9. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  10. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water. Brush the mixture onto the rings.
  11. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the rings.
  12. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the rings are golden brown.
  13. Let the bread cool before serving.

Nutritional Information:

  • Serving Size: 1 ring
  • Calories: 280
  • Total Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g
  • Sugars: 7g
  • Protein: 5g

Cooking Time:

Total Time: 3 hours

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 25 minutes

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Equipment:

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
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