greek easter bread

Ingredients

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

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Ready Time: 3 hrs 45 mins


• mix 2 cups flour and yeast together in the bowl of a stand mixer.
• 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).
• 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.
• fit the mixer with a dough hook. add remaining flour to the mixture; beat with dough hook until the flour is completely incorporated.
• grease a glass bowl. put dough into the bowl. let dough rise until doubled in volume, 3 to 4 hours.
• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c).
• 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 a baking sheet.
• bake in preheated oven until the middle is baked, 25 to 30 minutes.
• stir confectioners' sugar and 1 tablespoon orange juice together in a bowl; brush the tops of the loaves.