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tsoureki (greek easter bread)

2 · Apr 18, 2020 · Leave a Comment

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tsoureki is the traditional greek easter bread.  lightly sweetened with a hint of lemon, it’s delicious any time of day.  not for the faint of heart but well worth the effort!

One of my absolute favorite traditions for Greek Easter is tsoureki. Tsoureki (τσουρέκι in Greek) is the traditional sweet yeast bread typically made every year on Holy Thursday, and eaten on Easter Sunday.

I’ve been watching my mom and my Yiayia make this bread since I was a little girl and this year, finally took a stab at it myself!

And let me tell you – it’s most definitely a labor of love. As with any almost any bread, it takes time and practice, but once you’ve got it down, you could do it in your sleep.

Most of the time this bread takes is hands off (just while it’s rising). The most labor intensive part is the braiding, but you can opt to just twist it (roll out one long rope and twist) if you don’t feel like spending the time braiding.

The shape is not going to impact the flavor at all, so just do what you have tolerance for!

It’s delicious fresh out of the oven as is, toasted with butter, served with eggs or made into french toast! Honestly, there’s really no wrong way to eat it. It’s truly that good.

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tsoureki (greek easter bread) // cait's plate

tsoureki (greek easter bread)

  • Author: Cait
  • Prep Time: 3.5 – 4 hours
  • Cook Time: 25 – 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 4+ hours
  • Yield: 3 loaves 1x
  • Category: bread
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Description

tsoureki is the traditional greek easter bread.  lightly sweetened with a hint of lemon, it’s delicious any time of day!  not for the faint of heart but well worth the work!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups bread flour (start with 3 cups and add as needed)
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground mahlepi (I recommend buying the whole seeds & grinding yourself)*
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups milk (any kind)
  • 3 packages (6 3/4 teaspoons) of dry yeast (Rapid Rise for best results)
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Optional: beaten egg for an egg wash

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, heat milk to 110 – 120 degrees F (about 1 minute in the microwave) then add add yeast, 1/4 cup of the sugar and 1 cup flour.  Stir to combine, cover loosely with plastic wrap and let sit for an hour at room temperature or until bubbling.
  2. In large mixing bowl combine 3 cups flour, ground mahlepi, remaining sugar and salt.  Mix well.
  3. In a stand mixer fitted with the beater paddle, beat softened butter and eggs until smooth.
  4. Replace the beater paddle with the dough hook on your mixer.  Add flour mixture to the butter & egg mixture and mix at low speed until moistened.  Fold in lemon zest and mix ~3 minutes at medium speed.
  5. Add additional flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing on medium speed in between additions until a sticky dough has formed (you’ll probably have used 4-5 total cups of flour at this point).  Place in greased bowl, turning to grease the top.  Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in warm place until light and doubled, (~1-2 hours).
  6. After the first rise, punch down dough and remove from bowl.  Add additional flour as needed until a firm dough had formed (probably another 3-4 more cups; you want the dough to be pliable enough to roll and shape).
  7. Take one of the 3 balls of dough and split into 3 more equal sections.  On a lightly floured surface, roll each section into 3 long ropes (each rope should be ~12 inches long).  Pinch the 3 rope pieces at the top to hold them together, then braid the rope and pinch at the bottom.**  Place back on the parchment or silpat lined baking sheet and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Repeat with other remaining dough balls until you’ve formed 3 loaves.  Cover and allow to rise for another 1-2 hours.
  8. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  9. Brush each loaf with beaten egg then bake each for 25-30 minutes on the the middle rack until golden brown.

Notes

* If you don’t have or can’t find mahlepi seeds, you can substitute  2 teaspoons of ground anise or 1 teaspoon of cardamom

** Note that you don’t need to do the braiding.  You can also roll into one long rope then just twist.

Keywords: tsoureki, easter bread, greek easter bread, bread, sweet bread

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Tag @caitsplate on Instagram and hashtag it #caitsplate

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i’m cait, a registered dietitian and mom. i believe in a realistic approach to wellness. on this site you'll find easy recipes, nutrition content, motherhood tips and more! read more →

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bodies change.  weight fluctuates. skin sags and wrinkles.  hair grays.  these are all part of the natural process (& privilege) of aging.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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we live in a society that promotes this backward idea that our appearance should remain stable despite years passing.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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rather than internalizing the false idea that we need always be reaching backward and working to re-obtain what once was, allow your body to showcase the beautiful signs that you were given yet another day to walk this earth.  another chance to pursue your passion and purpose...both of which are so much more important than how you look.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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to anyone that needs this reminder today: you are not your body.  your worth and well-being is not dependent on your appearance.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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tweaked my slow cooker turkey, bean & veggie chili tweaked my slow cooker turkey, bean & veggie chili this past week to make it meatless and it was 🙌🏼⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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here’s how I did it:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (I used a mixture)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 3 cloves garlic, minced⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1 (28-oz.) can diced tomatoes⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1  15-oz. can kidney beans, rinsed and drained⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1 1/2 cups veggie broth⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 3 teaspoons chili powder (+/- as desired)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1-2 sweet potatoes, peeled & cut into 2 inch cubes⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Salt & pepper, to taste⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 2-4 tbsp. olive oil⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 2 cups cooked quinoa⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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place everything but the quinoa into a slow cooker & place on HIGH for 4 hours.  Stir in cooked quinoa & add additional salt / pepper / spices to taste.  top with your favorite toppings (I love cheese, avocado, yogurt & hot sauce).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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this chili is great right away (even better after a day to marinate in the fridge) and is an easy make-ahead meal you can enjoy all week!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#caitsplatefood #caitsplate #chilirecipe #vegetarianrecipe #vegetrianmeal #vegetarianmealprep #slowcooker #slowercookermeals #crockpotrecipes
what's a diet culture rule you've never quite unde what's a diet culture rule you've never quite understood?
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for me it was definitely the "don't eat after 6pm" rule 🤔
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hunger and digestion are not run by the clock.  there are so many factors that can go into why we feel hungry from one moment to the next, and that feeling of hunger is always valid and should be honored, regardless of the time of day.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
similarly, there are no 'right' or 'wrong' times to eat a meal.  breakfast, lunch and dinner are not bound to specific windows of time.  each can be eaten whenever you & your body deem it appropriate.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
hope this reaches anyone who might need these reminders today ❤️
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these greek spinach & feta turkey meatballs make f these greek spinach & feta turkey meatballs make for a super simple weeknight meal.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I'm partial to serving them over some couscous or quinoa, slathering them in tzatziki sauce then adding some fresh cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes & pita bread.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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but you can really serve them up in whatever way you like best!  done in 35 minutes and makes enough to eat for several meals 🙌🏼⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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grab the recipe on @caitsplate (link in bio): https://caitsplate.com/greek-spinach-feta-turkey-meatballs/⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#caitsplatefood #caitsplate #dinnerrecipes #dinnerathome #easydinner #easymeals #thefeedfeed #f52community #huffposttaste #recipeideas
just to add a little perspective around the messag just to add a little perspective around the messaging that’s out there telling us all how to “lose the COVID 15...”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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let's reframe the fear mongering language around weight gain during this pandemic as a sign of privilege.  having enough, at a time where so many have lost so much, should be looked at as nothing but a positive.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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our bodies are meant to shift and change with different seasons of life.  using food as one way to cope with hard emotions is completely common and part of a peaceful relationship with food.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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we are in unprecedented times.  seeking self-comfort and care in whatever way works for you is OKAY.  having gained weight during this pandemic is OKAY and not something you need to be jumping to 'fix' or 'correct.' and most importantly, it's okay to reframe comfort eating to something you can be grateful for, a coping skill you have the privilege and opportunity to enjoy, rather than berating yourself for it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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sending everyone a great big virtual hug today 🤍⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#caitsplatenutrition #caitsplate #nondietapproach #antidietdietitian #antidietculture #intuitiveeatingjourney #intuitiveeating #nondietdietitian #youareenough #youareworthy
another favorite from the archives!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ another favorite from the archives!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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this veggie sushi grain bowl takes all your favorite flavors from a veggie sushi roll and deconstructs it into an easy lunch.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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finished off with an Asian ginger vinaigrette, it will definitely be a meal you make time and time again.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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here’s what you need: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
for the grain bowl:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 2 cups cooked rice⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1 cup steamed shelled edamame⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 2 cups carrots, peeled & cut into ribbons (you can also shredded or thinly slice them)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1/2 cup cucumbers, thinly sliced⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1 avocado, sliced⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Optional: black sesame seeds⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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for the dressing (recipe from all recipes):⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 3 cloves garlic, minced⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger root, peeled & minced⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 3/4 cup olive oil⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1/3 cup soy sauce⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 3 tablespoons honey⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 1/4 cup water⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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full recipe details on @caitsplate (link in profile): https://caitsplate.com/veggie-sushi-grain-bowl/⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#caitsplatefood #caitsplate #vegetarianrecipe #vegetarianeats #vegetarianlunch #huffposttaste #thefeedfeed #f52community #lunchtoday

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