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Tips for Making Greek Easter Bread?

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dimi_pat

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I know Lent is just starting soon, but I’m already planning ahead for Greek Easter and want to perfect my Tsourekirecipe. I’ll be making a lot of loaves this year, so I’d like to do some test runs to get it just right.

My biggest challenge is getting the bread to be soft and fluffy rather than dense. I’ve heard that kneading and proofing are key—how long should I knead the dough, and how many times should I let it rise? Also, what’s the best flour and yeast to use?

I know traditional Tsoureki has mahlepi and mastiha—do you grind them fresh or use pre-ground versions? And any tips for getting that beautiful, shiny crust on top?
 
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That sounds like a wonderful plan! Tsoureki can be tricky, but once you perfect it, the results are amazing. For a soft and fluffy texture, kneading is crucial—aim for at least 15-20 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Let it rise twice: first, until it doubles in size (about 2-3 hours in a warm place), then after shaping, let it rise again for another hour.

For flour, use high-protein bread flour to give the dough structure, and for yeast, instant or active dry yeast both work well—just make sure it’s fresh! Grinding mahlepi and mastiha fresh gives the best aroma, but pre-ground versions are fine if you’re short on time.

For a glossy crust, brush the loaf with an egg wash (1 egg + a little milk or water) right before baking.
 
dimi_pat said:
I know Lent is just starting soon, but I’m already planning ahead for Greek Easter and want to perfect my Tsourekirecipe. I’ll be making a lot of loaves this year, so I’d like to do some test runs to get it just right.

My biggest challenge is getting the bread to be soft and fluffy rather than dense. I’ve heard that kneading and proofing are key—how long should I knead the dough, and how many times should I let it rise? Also, what’s the best flour and yeast to use?

I know traditional Tsoureki has mahlepi and mastiha—do you grind them fresh or use pre-ground versions? And any tips for getting that beautiful, shiny crust on top?
Click to expand...
Hi! I have all the tips and tricks you need about making the best homemade Tsoureki! In my post, you'll find lots of information, including how to get the perfect texture, shiny tops, and how to use mahlepi and mastiha (which I grind myself, but you can use pre-ground if you can find it) . I even have 2 different ways of making Tsoureki: 1) using a stand mixer & 2) a no-knead Tsoureki (which is mostly stretching and folding a few times). Both have worked well for me for many years. Have a look at my Tsoureki post and let me know what you think! ☺️
 
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