Christopsomo (Greek Christmas Bread) |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 16 |
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Around the holiday, this rich, buttery egg bread is typically decorated with long ropes of dough shaped in the form of an early Christian cross, hence the name Christ's Bread . Though mahleb, a spice made from ground black-cherry pits, is often used for flavoring, we've substituted the easier-to-find aniseed. Ingredients:
1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons) |
1 tablespoon sugar |
1/2 cup warm water (100° to 110°) |
6 tablespoons butter or stick margarine, softened |
2 large eggs |
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided |
1/3 cup sugar |
2 tablespoons nonfat dry milk |
2 teaspoons aniseed, crushed |
1/2 teaspoon salt |
cooking spray |
1 large egg white, lightly beaten |
8 candied cherries |
Directions:
1. Dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in warm water in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Add the butter and eggs; beat at medium speed of a mixer until smooth. Lightly spoon the flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine 3 cups flour, 1/3 cup sugar, dry milk, aniseed, and salt; add to yeast mixture, beating well. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes); add enough of remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands.
2. Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, about 1 1/2 hours. Dough will not double in size. (Press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, the dough has risen enough.)
3. Punch dough down; let rest 5 minutes. Pinch 2 (1 1/2-inch) balls off dough; cover and set aside. Shape remaining dough into an 8-inch round; place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Brush with egg white. Shape each dough ball into an 8-inch-long rope; cut a 2-inch slash into the ends of each rope. Place 1 rope across middle of dough; brush the middle of the rope with egg white. Place the other rope across the middle of the rope, forming a cross. Curl the slashed ends together to form a circle; place a cherry in the middle of each circle. Arrange 4 cherries around center of cross. Cover and let rise 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 350°.
5. Uncover dough. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Remove loaf from pan, and cool on a wire rack.
6. NOTE: If you don't have time to decorate this bread, skip step 3. Punch dough down; let rest. Shape the dough into a 8-inch round. Cover and let rise 1 hour. Bake as directed.
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