GREEK EASTER BREAD

Greek Easter Bread image

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.

Provided by makokiller

Time 3h45m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

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

Steps:

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, 1 to 2 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 onto a baking sheet. Let rise, about 1 hour.
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 onto the tops of the loaves.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 311.5 calories, Carbohydrate 31.2 g, Cholesterol 39.7 mg, Fat 6.7 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 28.4 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 201.6 mg, Sugar 14.7 g