Greek Easter Bread

This is a very nice bread to serve anytime of the year not just at Easter. My mother always made this at Easter time, and I was finally able to get the recipe out of her. Now I want to share it with you. This recipe makes 2 loaves.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 312 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 5 ½ cups high-gluten flour, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Mix 2 cups flour and yeast together in the bowl of a stand mixer.

Step 3

Stir milk, butter, sugar, and salt together in a saucepan; heat and stir over medium-low heat until the mixture is smooth and the temperature is between 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) to 100 degrees F (37 degrees C).

Step 4

Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture, add eggs, and beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Increase speed to high and beat for 3 minutes more. Add 1 cup flour and 3 tablespoons orange juice to the mixture; mix on high for 3 minutes more.

Step 5

Fit the mixer with a dough hook. Add remaining flour to the mixture; beat with dough hook until the flour is completely incorporated.

Step 6

Grease a glass bowl. Put dough into the bowl. Let dough rise until doubled in volume, 1 to 2 hours.

Step 7

Punch dough down. Divide the dough into two halves. Split each half into three even pieces, roll each piece into a cylinder, and braid into loaves. Put loaves onto a baking sheet. Let rise, about 1 hour.

Step 8

Bake in preheated oven until the middle is baked, 25 to 30 minutes.

Step 9

Stir confectioners' sugar and 1 tablespoon orange juice together in a bowl; brush onto the tops of the loaves.