Tsourekia
Easter Bread

Tsourekia is a special sweet bread that is prepared at Easter. It is usually decorated with a red egg or eggs These red
eggs symbolize the blood of Christ redeeming the world.

The bread is braided and a red egg is added. You can use several red eggs and braid the dough in a round pan.

3 env. dry yeast
1 c. warm water
Pinch of sugar
1 lb. butter
3 c. milk
5 c. sugar
5 lb. flour
Rind of 1 lg. orange
1 tsp. mastiha, crushed
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
6 eggs, well beaten (more eggs may be used)
¼ c. water
1 c. sugar

Prepare yeast by dissolving it in warm tap water. Add a pinch of sugar and set aside in warm place to rise. Add butter
and 5 cups sugar to milk. Scald milk by heating to just below boiling.

Set milk mixture aside and allow to cool to lukewarm. Place flour in large basin. Add orange rind, cinnamon, cloves and
mastiha. Stir. When yeast has risen, add it to flour. Stir. Add the beaten eggs and lukewarm milk mixture and mix well.

Turn dough out on kneading board or counter. Knead lightly. If dough is too thick, loosen it with warm tap water. If
dough is too loose, add a little flour. Dough is ready when it does not stick to board. Place dough in greased bowl.
Cover and put in warm place until dough has doubled.

Shape dough into braids and add desired red cooked eggs (opt.). Place on greased pans and let rise until doubled. Bake
in 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes. When baked, remove from pans. Boil ¼ cup water with 1 cup sugar. Stir
vigorously until sugar is dissolved. Brush tops of loaves with this glaze, using a pastry brush. Let cool.