Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
Tsoureki - Greek Easter Bread topped with almond slivers and set on a wooden cutting board.

Tsoureki - Greek Easter Bread

Catherine
Make Tsoureki (Greek Easter Bread) at home with this easy, traditional recipe! This lightly sweetened, fluffy bread is flavoured with orange and traditional spices resulting in an absolutely delicious loaf!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rise Time 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4 small or 2 large loaves
Calories 1683 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup lukewarm water
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2/3 cup butter softened
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground mahleb
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mastic
  • 1 1/2 cups milk lukewarm
  • 1/2 cup orange juice freshly squeezed, room temperature
  • zest of 2 oranges
  • 1/3 teaspoon salt
  • 8 1/2 cups flour all purpose

Egg wash and toppings

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • almond slivers

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, add the yeast, 1/2 cup lukewarm water, and 1 teaspoon of sugar and stir together. Set it aside and let it rest for 5-10 minutes to activate the yeast and let it bloom.
  • Separate the egg yolks and egg whites.
  • In the bowl of your stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat the butter and oil together (be sure to start on low speed to avoid splattering oil everywhere). Add the egg yolks and sugar and mix until light and fluffy.
  • In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Add the egg whites to the butter mixture along with the yeast mixture, mahlepi, mastiha, warm milk, orange juice, orange zest and salt and mix until combined.
  • Replace the paddle attachment with the dough hook on your stand mixer. Slowly add the flour and mix the dough on low speed for 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic and pulls away from the side of the bowl. The dough will be slightly sticky at this point.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and clean kitchen towels and place it in dry, warm spot. Let it rise until it doubles in size (about 2 hours). 
  • Once the dough has risen, gently deflate it and then divide the dough into 2 portions to make 2 large tsoureki loaves or 4 portions if you are making smaller loaves.
  • Working with one portion at at a time, divide it into 3 equal dough balls. Roll each of those balls into a long cylindrical log shapes using your hands. Braid the 3 logs together to form the braided loaf, pinching the ends together lightly and tucking them underneath the loaf. Repeat with the other portion(s).
  • Transfer the loaves onto a baking sheet and let them rise again for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • In a small bowl, whisk the egg and water to form the egg wash. Brush the egg wash over the loaves and sprinkle with almond slivers.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the loaves have browned nicely. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Note: Metric ingredient measurements are provided as a courtesy using a third-party calculator and are rounded to the nearest unit. The recipes provided on this site have not been tested with metric measurements and their accuracy cannot be verified.

Nutrition

Calories: 1683kcalCarbohydrates: 289gProtein: 40gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 27gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 246mgSodium: 371mgPotassium: 618mgFiber: 8gSugar: 86gVitamin A: 614IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 229mgIron: 14mg

The nutritional information provided is based on third-party calculations and is an estimate only. Accurate nutritional facts will vary based on the particular brands used, portion sizes, measurement accuracy and more.

Keyword easter, easter bread, greek food
Tried this recipe?Leave a star rating and comment below to let us know how it was!