Description
A sweet, braided bread flavored with mahlab and mastic, traditionally made for Greek Easter.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mahlab
- 1/8 teaspoon ground mastic (optional)
- 1 egg yolk, for egg wash
- Red food coloring (for decoration)
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm milk and let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, mahlab, and mastic.
- Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough. Divide it into three equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a long rope. Braid the three ropes together to form a loaf.
- Shape the braided loaf into a bunny shape by curving the ends to form ears and a body.
- Place the shaped dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover loosely and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- Mix the egg yolk with a few drops of water for the egg wash. Brush the surface of the bread.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For the bunny eyes, press two cloves into the dough before baking.
- You can use a small amount of red food coloring mixed with a drop of water to paint a small red ‘X’ on the forehead, a traditional decoration.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 50
Keywords: Greek Easter Bread, Tsoureki, Easter Bunny Bread, Mahlab Bread, Sweet Bread