Tsourekia (Pascha Sweet Bread) Recipe
12 cups flour
3 T yeast
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup + 1 T. sugar
6 eggs
1/2 T mahlepi (or crushed aniseed, or vanilla extract)
2-3 pieces of masticha, crushed with 1/4 t. sugar (or grated peel of 1 orange)
3/4 cup of milk, lukewarm
3/4 t. salt
1 egg, beaten
sesame seeds or blanched almonds
dyed red eggs (optional)
Dissolve yeast in lukewarm milk. Add a few spoonfuls of flour to make a paste. Cover and set aside in a warm place to rise.
In a bowl, combine flour and salt, and add melted butter.
Boil mahlepi in a little water, strain and add the liquid to the flour. (Alternatively add 1 tsp. mahlepi flavoring. Add eggs, masticha, sugar and risen yeast. On a floured surface, knead the mixture well until it becomes a medium dough, about 15-20 minutes. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 - 2 hours.
Punch down and create shapes. We usually either braid them and wrap it into a circle as shown. Then we place an egg in the center. Or we shape the braid into baskets and we place an egg "in" the basket. You can also just braid it straight down and place the egg in the top of the braid.
Place loaves on greased cookie sheets or baking pans, cover and allow to rise until doubled. Brush with beaten egg.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds, sugar or blanched almond slices.
Bake @ 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Yields: 6 2 lb. loaves