Delicious Tsoureki Braid Recipe - Easy Baking Tutorial

By Dimitra's Dishes · 180 min

Ingredients

Instructions

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the starter ingredients, whisk and rest for 10 minutes until a puffy foam forms on top.
2. In another bowl, mix the flour, sugar, orange zest, salt, mahlepi and mastic gum well.
3. Add all remaining dough ingredients to the mixer bowl once the yeast is active. Knead on low speed for 10 minutes.
4. Add the softened butter, raise the speed to medium and knead for 2 more minutes.
5. Oil a large bowl, add the dough, turn it to coat and shape into a ball. Cover and leave in a warm place until doubled, about 1½ to 2 hours, up to 4 hours in a cool room.
6. Punch down the dough and divide it into 2 equal portions.
7. Beat the cream cheese filling ingredients together until smooth.
8. On parchment paper, roll one portion into a 10 x 15 inch (25 x 36 cm) rectangle. Mark two lines to divide it into thirds without cutting through. Cut diagonal slits along both sides.
9. Spread half the filling down the centre, dollop the preserves on top, then fold the side strips alternately over the filling to form a braid.
10. Transfer the braid on its parchment to a baking tray. Repeat with the second portion.
11. Brush the braids with egg wash, sprinkle with sliced almonds and let rise for 30 minutes until puffy but not doubled.
12. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the braids on the centre rack for 30 minutes.
13. Cool the pastries completely, then whisk the glaze ingredients until smooth and drizzle over the tsoureki.

Summarized from Dimitra's Dishes's video. Watch it for the details.

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