Tsoureki Easter Bread ingredients 1 ½ kg flour 70 gr. yeast...

Tsoureki
Easter Bread

ingredients
1 ½ kg flour
70 gr. yeast
200 gr. cow butter
300 gr. sugar
3 eggs
240 ml milk
1 tsp. crushed mastic
1 tsp. grated mahlab (aromatic spice)
pinch of salt
pinch of vanilla
2 egg yolks (to brush on the top part of the loaves)
½ cup sliced almonds or sesame seeds

directions
Prepare the yeast: in a bowl, add yeast, half a class of warm water and 150gr of sifted flour; mix, cover and leave in a warm place
In a mixer, beat 100 gr of Butter, sugar, the eggs, the milk, the mastic and the mahlab, as well as, the salt and vanilla, until it forms a dough
Slowly add the remainder of the sifted flour
Slow the mixer and begin to add the remaining butter; the dough is ready when it no longer sticks to the side of the bowl
Cover the dough with kitchen towels, set aside in a warm place for 2 hours and let it rise.
Remove the dough and cut into 9 portions
Brush olive oil on a flat surface and turn each ball into a long, thin roll
Braid three rolls together (achieving a braid shape)
Place the braided loaf on a pan with parchment paper on it
Beat the egg yolks in some water and brush the top of the tsoureki. If you’d like, you can also sprinkle almond slices or sesame seeds on the top
Bake for 20 to 30 min , at 170 degrees until they have risen and have a nice, golden color

from MY GREEKITCHEN http://mygreekitchen.tumblr.com/post/130536042716
from Tumblr http://0foodphotography.tumblr.com/post/130536589477
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