Welcome to my Channel!
I am an amateur baker, I love to bake and try new recipes!
In this video I bake a “Sweet Easter Bread – Greek Version AKA Tsoureki”
It is very soft and aromatic, smells Greek Easter and Spring!
Childhood Memories!!!
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Tsoureki (Τσουρέκι) is a traditional Greek sweet bread, often prepared for special occasions like Easter, but also enjoyed year-round. It’s known for its soft, fluffy texture and its distinctive sweet, aromatic flavor, which comes from ingredients like mastic (a resin with a unique flavor), mahleb (a spice made from cherry pits), and orange zest. Tsoureki is typically braided into a loaf or wreath shape and is often decorated with sesame seeds
Sweet Easter Bread – Greek Version – Tsourekia (Τσουρέκια)
Recipe:
Ingridients:
Mix 1 (Quick Starter)
50gr flour
25gr fresh yeast
50gr warm water
1 tbs sugar
Mix 2
100gr milk
140 gr sugar
2 eggs
and
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp orange zest and / or lemon zest (optional, for a citrusy aroma)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp ground mahleb / mahlab (optional but traditional for flavor)
1 tsp gardamon (optional, but traditional for flavor)
1/2 tsp ground mastic (optional, traditional resinous flavor)
450gr flour (bread flour, high in protein).
I use Bob’s Red Mill Artisan Bread Flour
80gr unsalted butter, soft
egg wash (1 egg, 1 tbs milk)
1. Activate the Fresh Yeast:
Dissolve the fresh yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar in the warm water. Add 50g flour. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes, or until it starts bubbling and becomes foamy. This step is crucial to ensure that the yeast is active.
2. Meanwhile mix 100gr milk, 140gr sugar and 2 eggs, in a sauce pan, over low heat, just to warm the milk an dissolve the sugar
(Be Careful: Do not overheat the mixture, you will end up with scrambled eggs!!!)
3. Prepare the Dough:
In a bowl add 100gr bread flour, the yeast mixture and the milk/sugar mixture
Stir to combine until a sticky dough forms
3. Knead the Dough:
Transfer the dough into a standard mixer
Let the mixer knead the dough for about 5 min and then add 100gr soft butter in small pieces
Let the mixer run for about 10 more minutes
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place (about 68F / 20C) for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.(about 1.5-2 hours, it depends on the room temperature)
4. Shape the Tsoureki:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 6 equal portions (about 160-170gr each)
Follow along with the video
I shape the dough into 2 different ways
Place each braided dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Second Rise:
Cover the shaped breads and let them rise for another 1.5-2 hours minutes until they become puffed and slightly increased in size.
6. Prepare for Baking:
Brush the top of the dough with egg wash (1 egg, 1 tbsp milk) for a golden and shiny finish.
7. Bake the Tsoureki:
Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes, until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom
If you notice the top browning too quickly, you can cover it loosely with foil and continue baking.
8. Cool and Serve:
Once done, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
Serve sliced or whole, with butter, honey, or jam for an extra treat.
Enjoy your homemade Tsoureki with a cup of coffee or tea!
**** Dough is very rich (butter, eggs, sugar), it needs time to rise
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Sweet Flavor: Tsoureki is a sweet bread, flavored with vanilla, mastic, and mahleb. Sometimes, it also has a hint of citrus (like orange zest) for added freshness.
Soft Texture: The bread is light, fluffy, and slightly chewy, thanks to the rich ingredients like butter and eggs.
Braided Shape: It’s commonly braided, often in three strands, and can be formed into a round or elongated shape.
Colorful Decoration: During Easter, it’s common to add a red-dyed hard-boiled egg in the center or on top of the bread as a symbol of Christ’s resurrection. Some also sprinkle sesame seeds over the dough before baking.
Tsoureki is traditionally made during Easter in Greece, where it symbolizes the arrival of spring and the resurrection of Christ. It’s often enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea and is a popular treat for family gatherings and celebrations.
Mastic and mahleb are traditional Greek spices that give Tsourekia its distinctive flavor. If you can’t find them, you can skip them, but it’s worth seeking them out for that authentic taste!
Tsourekia is often braided into different shapes: you can make a round wreath, a traditional loaf, or individual smaller loaves.
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#baking #bread #asmr #fromscratch #breadrecipe #easter #spring #tsourekia