Tsoureki
(Easter Bread)
1 cup milk
2 cups sugar or honey
2 tspn cinnamon
1/2 lb. sweet butter
1 tbsp mahlepi powder
2 packages active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
5 eggs or egg substitute
10 cups flour
Pinch of salt
In a
small saucepan bring the milk to a boil. Pour it into a large mixing bowl and
add the sugar, butter, mahlepi, and salt. Let cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast
in warm water and add to lukewarm milk. Beat 4 eggs and add to the milk
mixture.
Gradually stir in flour with a wooden spoon until the batter becomes too thick
to stir. Coat your hands with flour and work in the rest of the flour by hands
until a soft, elastic dough forms.
Cover with waxed paper and a thick towel and let stand in a warm place free of
drafts for 2 to 3 hours or until the dough doubles in bulk. Punch down dough
and knead again.
Divide the dough into 12 balls about the size of oranges. Roll each ball on a
board into a rope 1.5"x 2" thick and 15"-20" long. Braid three ropes together
to make a "twist." Pinch ends and tuck under. Place on greased baking sheets
and let rise until twists are doubled in bulk. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Brush the twists with the remaining egg (well-beaten) and bake until tops are
a deep chestnut color, about 30 minutes. Check after 15 minutes, andd if the
color is fdarkening too quickly, reduce heat to 275 degrees and continue to
bake for 1/2 hour.
Cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes and then invert on racks to finish
cooling. Store in convered containers or wrap and keep in the freezer.