The Ultimate Tsoureki Guide: https://www.dimitrasdishes.com/theul...

The dough Scraper (affiliate): https://amzn.to/3xeIRrb

Ingredients
For the starter:

1/2 cup milk, lukewarm
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons allpurpose flour
The Dry Ingredients:

4 4 and 1/2 cups (720 grams) bread flour
1 cup (240 g) granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground mahlepi
1/2 teaspoon salt
​1/4 teaspoon ground mastic gum (optional)
The Wet Ingredients:

3/4 cup (177 ml) lukewarm milk
2 large eggs, beaten
zest of an orange
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 ounces unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
​ The egg wash: 2 egg yolks plus 24 tablespoons milk
Optional Fillings:

dried cranberries, raisins, chopped nuts, candied fruit, ground cardamom, vanilla or almond extract
Instructions
Combine the starter ingredients together in the bowl of a tabletop mixer. Whisk and set aside for 10 minutes to activate the yeast. It is ready when a puffy cloud forms above the mixture.
​In another bowl, combine the flour, sugar, orange zest, salt, mahlepi, and mastic gum together. Mix well to combine.
​Once the yeast is activated, add all of the remaining ingredients to the mixer's bowl. Turn the mixer on low and knead for 8 minutes.
Add the softened butter and increase the speed to medium (4 on the Kitchen aid) and knead for 2 minutes.
​Place some oil in the bottom of a large bowl and transfer the dough to the bowl. Toss around to coat and form a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place until doubled in volume. About 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours.
​Quick Rise Tip: My favorite place to keep the dough so that it rises quickly is in the dryer. Here is what I do:
​1) I put 34 clean bath towels in the dryer and turn it on (high heat setting) for about 56 minutes.
​2) I place the bowl with the dough into the dryer (on top of the warm towels) and close the door.
3) Make sure the dryer is OFF!!
​4) Remove from the dryer when it has doubled in volume.
​This trick usually cuts 30 minutes from the rise time.
Punch down the dough to remove the air. Cut into 2 equal portions.
Cut each portion in thirds.
​Roll each portion into about 13 inch long ropes.
​Form the 3 ropes into a braid and do the same with the remaining three ropes to shape 2 loaves of brioche.
Place both braided loaves onto a baking tray (18 by 13 inch) lined with parchment paper.
Cover with plastic wrap or with a clean towel.
​Set aside for 3040 minutes or until puffy. They should not double in size this time.
Preheat the oven to 350 °F, 180 °C.
​Brush the tops of the brioche dough with the egg wash.
Optional: Place a hardboiled, dyed egg in the braids or top with sliced almonds.
​Bake in the center rack of the oven for 30 minutes.
​Remove from the oven and cool at least 30 minutes before serving.
​Once baked and cooled, the bread can be frozen up to a month. Just make sure to wrap it well with plastic wrap.
​Enjoy!
Notes
This dough can be prepared in a tabletop mixer or kneaded by hand in a large bowl or on the countertop. Using a mixer will require less kneading time. About 10 minutes. If making the dough by hand, knead it at least 15 minutes so that the gluten forms well to achieve the desired consistency and texture.
Music Used:
Greek Sun Time (With Intro)
ITEM ID: 66582698
By: tonyanthony

Its All Greek
ITEM ID: 84456733
By: LowNotes


Official Facebook Page:   / dimitrasdishes  
Instagram:   / dimitras.dishes  
Pinterest:   / dimitrasdis0637  
Twitter:   / dimitrasdishes  

Here are links to some of my favorite cooking tools. The links take you to Amazon where I'm proud to be an affiliate partner :)

My cutting board: http://amzn.to/2e2p8ED
Kitchen Aid Mixer: http://amzn.to/2dQXU0b
Food Processor: http://amzn.to/2eXcvZd
Microplane: http://amzn.to/2eL2vTo
Madeleine Pan: http://amzn.to/2dQU1sm
Cheesecake Pan: http://amzn.to/2eXaGeQ
Vitamix Blender: http://amzn.to/2eXcvbH
Nonstick pan: http://amzn.to/2eL804t
Cast iron pan: http://amzn.to/2dQYfjs
Pastry Bag: http://amzn.to/2e2v0xD
Half sheet baking pans: http://amzn.to/2fcv7cD

Thanks for watching! I'd love to see your recreations of these dishes so please share pics with me on social media :)

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and spread the word so that we can make the world more delicious!