Are you looking for a delicious and traditional recipe to celebrate Easter? Look no further than Greek sweet bread! Also known as Tsoureki, this festive bread is a staple in Greek households during Easter celebrations. It’s a sweet and fluffy bread with a hint of orange and vanilla, and it’s often served with a red-dyed egg. In this article, we’ll share with you two different recipes for this delicious bread that you can prepare for your own Easter celebration.
Recipe 1: Classic Greek Sweet Bread Easter
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg yolk, beaten
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, and salt.
- In another bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and stir to combine.
- Add eggs, butter, vanilla extract, and orange zest to the mixture and knead for about 10 minutes until you get a smooth and elastic dough.
- Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Divide the dough into three equal parts and braid them together.
- Place the braided dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix together egg yolk and milk and brush it over the bread.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the bread is golden brown.
- Let it cool before serving.
Nutritional Information:
Calories: 280 | Fat: 10g | Carbohydrates: 39g | Fiber: 1g | Protein: 7g
Cooking Time:
Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 30-35 minutes | Total time: 2 hours
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush
Serving Suggestions:
Serve the Greek sweet bread warm or at room temperature. It can be enjoyed on its own or with butter and jam. It’s also traditional to serve it with a red-dyed egg during Easter celebrations.
Variations:
You can add different flavors to the bread, such as almond extract or cinnamon. You can also add dried fruit, such as raisins or cranberries, to the dough.
Substitutions:
You can use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour for a chewier texture. You can also use honey instead of sugar for a healthier option.
Storage:
The bread can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
Tips:
- Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- Knead the dough for at least 10 minutes to develop the gluten and give the bread its fluffy texture.
- Cover the dough with a damp towel while it’s rising to prevent it from drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough the day before and let it rise in the fridge overnight. Take it out of the fridge 1 hour before baking to bring it to room temperature.
Can I use a stand mixer to knead the dough?
Yes, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to knead the dough.
Recipe 2: Vegan Greek Sweet Bread Easter
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm almond milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon aquafaba (chickpea brine)
- 1 tablespoon almond milk
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, and salt.
- In another bowl, dissolve yeast in warm almond milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and stir to combine.
- Add melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and orange zest to the mixture and knead for about 10 minutes until you get a smooth and elastic dough.
- Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Divide the dough into three equal parts and braid them together.
- Place the braided dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix together aquafaba and almond milk and brush it over the bread.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the bread is golden brown.
- Let it cool before serving.
Nutritional Information:
Calories: 280 | Fat: 10g | Carbohydrates: 39g | Fiber: 1g | Protein: 4g
Cooking Time:
Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 30-35 minutes | Total time: 2 hours
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush
Serving Suggestions:
Serve the Greek sweet bread warm or at room temperature. It can be enjoyed on its own or with vegan butter and jam. It’s also traditional to serve it with a red-dyed vegan egg during Easter celebrations.
Variations:
You can add different flavors to the bread, such as almond extract or cinnamon. You can also add dried fruit, such as raisins or cranberries, to the dough.
Substitutions:
You can use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour for a chewier texture. You can also use maple syrup instead of sugar for a healthier option.
Storage:
The bread can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
Tips:
- Make sure the almond milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- Knead the dough for at least 10 minutes to develop the gluten and give the bread its fluffy texture.
- Cover the dough with a damp towel while it’s rising to prevent it from drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough the day before and let it rise in the fridge overnight. Take it out of the fridge 1 hour before baking to bring it to room temperature.
Can I use a stand mixer to knead the dough?
Yes, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to knead the dough.
Personal Thoughts
Greek sweet bread Easter is one of my favorite treats during the