Easter Tsoureki

Directions

In a bowl, beat the eggs with the powdered sugar for 3 minutes. Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk and add it to the bowl. Add the melted butter, as well as the flavorings (mahlepi, orange zest, mastic).

Finally, gradually add the flour, kneading the dough by hand until it is fully absorbed. Gather the dough into a ball in the bowl, cover it with a towel or blanket, and let it rest in a warm oven at 30°C (86°F) for about 2 hours.

Shape the dough into braided loaves or other designs and place them on a buttered baking tray. Cover again and let them rest for another 1 hour in the warm oven (30°C / 86°F).

Brush with diluted egg yolk, sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired, and bake at 180°C (356°F) for about 50 minutes, until golden brown.