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Armenian Easter Bread

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PREP TIME
360 min
COOKING TIME
25 min
TOTAL TIME
385 min
SERVINGS
30 servings
Armenian Middle Eastern
Armenian Easter Bread
Ingredients
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup margarine
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup lukewarm water
  • 2 teaspoons white sugar
  • 2 (.25 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
  • 5 eggs
  • 6 cups all-purpose flour, or as needed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground mahleb
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
1
Combine milk, butter, and margarine in a saucepan over medium heat.
2
Heat the mixture until the butter and margarine are fully incorporated, but avoid letting it reach a boil. Stir in 1 cup of sugar until it's completely dissolved, then set the mixture aside to cool and reach a lukewarm temperature.
3
Meanwhile, dissolve 2 teaspoons of sugar in warm water in a small bowl.
4
Sprinkle the yeast over the surface, allowing it to sit and become frothy, about 10 minutes.
5
Crack eggs into a large bowl, gently breaking up the yolks.
6
Slowly pour in the heated milk mixture while whisking constantly to temper the eggs and prevent them from cooking. Add the yeast mixture, blending just until combined.
7
Combine flour, baking powder, mahleb, and salt in a large bowl; create a well in the center.
8
Pour the egg mixture into the well, stirring until it forms a sticky dough. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead in additional flour as needed to achieve a more substantial dough. Knead for about 10 minutes.
9
Place the dough in an oiled bowl, and set it in a warm location to rise for about 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
10
When the dough has doubled, punch it down again, and let it rise once more until doubled.
11
This second rising process will be significantly shorter than the first, taking about half as long.
12
Separate the dough into 5 even portions, then divide each of those into thirds.
13
Roll each portion into ropes about 12 inches long.
14
Braid sets of three ropes together, pinching the ends to seal and tucking them under for a more visually appealing presentation.
15
Place the loaves onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, leaving about 4 inches of space between each loaf.
16
Set the loaves in a warm location to rise until your finger leaves an impression behind when you gently poke the loaf.
17
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
18
Brush the loaves with beaten egg, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
19
Bake in the preheated oven until the loaves are nicely golden brown all over, about 25 minutes.