Community Corner

Easter Recipe: Tsoureki

A specialty bread for Greek Easter.

Recipe by from .

Did you think Easter was over? Our many neighbors who observe the Greek Orthodox Easter on April 15 know that it's not.

Tsoureki, pronounced, 'tsoo-REH-kee' is the traditional bread of Greek Easter. Here's a recipe for it. If you have a variation on the recipe, tell everybody in the comments section.

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Yaya's (Grandma's) Tsoureki:

Yields: 4 braided loaves

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  • 8 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 1/2 cups milk, warmed
  • 3 envelopes dry yeast
  • 1 2/3 cup unsalted butter (3 sticks plus 3 tbsp.)
  • 1 2/3 cup sugar
  • 5 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 egg, beaten with a splash of water
  • Whole sesame seeds for sprinkling

Step 1: Set flour with pinch of salt in a large bowl and set aside.

Step 2: Mix yeast in warm milk into a bowl. Add 1/2 cup of the flour and 1 tbsp. sugar to the mixture. Cover the bowl and set aside.

Step 3: Melt the butter and sugar in a large saucepan on the stove. Remove from stove and add in beaten eggs.

Step 4: Put the  yeast mixture into a large mixing bowl. Then add in the saucepan of butter, sugar, and egg mixture. Lastly, add in the flour until a dough is formed.

Step 5: Cover the bowl and let the dough rise until it is twice the size (2 hours).

Step 6: Punch down the dough.

Step 7: Divide dough into 3 pieces and roll the pieces out into long cords  Braid the three ropes together to form a braided loaf.

Step 8: Place the braids on baking sheets and let them rise again.

Step 9: Once risen,brush the surface with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Step 10: Bake for 280 degrees for one hour or at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes!

When the bread is done, serve with dinner and enjoy! Aló pásha...Happy Greek Easter!


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