Greek Easter Bread Recipe
Bread is the essence of life, well in my life, bread is so important, if garlic, or French, sourdough, Dutch crunch or sweet. So many to choose from, but Greek Easter bread is a celebration in itself. My husband and friends LOVE it and eat it not only for the Easter dinner, but toasted for breakfast, a sweet treat with butter and cinnamon and sugar or just a snack. This is my favorite recipe, so fragrant and sweet..
Ingredients
- 4 packages yeast
- 1/2 Cup warm water
- 1 Quart warm milk
- 3/4 lb softened butter (not melted)
- 3 1/2 Cup sugar
- 1 Tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 Tsp ground cumin
- 1 Tsp ground nutmeg
- (optional 1 Tsp crushed mastic- from the island of Chios, Greece)
- 1 Tsp ground coriander
- 6 Eggs
- 4 Cups flour
- More flour
Directions
- Soften yeast in warm water and allow to bloom
- Blend milk, eggs, butter and sugar in large mixer with large beater and whip till well blended
- Add yeast mixture and continue to blend
- Add all spices
- Add flour and blend thoroughly
- Put out of floured counter and begin kneading, add flour until dough is no longer overly sticky.
- Dough should be soft and slightly sticky
- Set aside covered loosely with plastic wrap and cover with a towel
- Allow to double in size
- Punch down and place into loaf pans or braid into loaves
- Set loaves to the side in a warm area and cover with towel allow to rise again
- After they have doubled (45 minutes or so) glaze with egg wash and sprinkle on sesame seeds
- Place in a 325 oven bake for 35-45 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean
- Makes about 4-6 loaves
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