Homemade Tsoureki Recipe

Tsoureki is a sweet brioche bread, which has a three-strand braid, representing the Holy Trinity. Traditionally made on Holy Thursday, Tsoureki is a staple during Greek Easter. 

Here is our simple recipe that makes four large, fluffy, sweet, and ever-so-tasty homemade Tsourekia!  

Ingredients 

– 1.5 x kilos all-purpose white flour 

– 30gm x dried yeast

– 600ml x full cream milk, lukewarm

– 500gm x sugar

– pinch of salt

– 60gm x vanilla sugar 

– 6 x tears of mastic, freshly ground

– 6gm x mahlepi (optional) 

– 7 x medium-sized eggs, lightly beaten 

– 375 gm x unsalted butter, melted

– 1 x egg for glazing 

– 2 x tbsp water for glazing

– sesame seeds for sprinkling

Method 

-Dissolve yeast in 3/4 cups of milk and a teaspoon of sugar.  Set aside. 

– Lightly heat milk in a saucepan and add to the remaining sugar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.

– Sift flour into a large bowl and add salt. Mix and create well in the centre of the bowl. 

-Add yeast, lightly beaten eggs, dissolved sugar, vanilla sugar, ground mastic, mahlepi (optional), and melted butter; mix well until all ingredients are well combined. 

– Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and leave it in a warm place to proof and double in volume. This will take 3-4 hours.

– When ready, place dough onto a clean working surface and knead with your hands for 1-2 minutes. Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Take each piece of dough and divide it into 3 equal pieces.

-Take the first set of dough and one by one, shape each of the 3 pieces into a long rope about 50 cm long, 5 cm wide. Place the 3 ropes on the baking paper, connect the 3 ropes on one end and braid them. Tuck the ends underneath. Take the second set of dough and repeat. 

-Transfer the braided tsourekia onto baking trays and cover them with clean kitchen towels. Leave them in a warm place for 1 hour to rise further.

-In the meantime, preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

– In a small bowl, add the egg yolk and water and mix well with a fork.

-Once the braids have been proofed, using a brush, apply the glaze over the braids and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

-Place tsourekia in preheated oven and bake for around 30-35 minutes or until golden- brown and cooked through. 

-Allow to slightly cool. Then move the tsourekia onto wire racks to cool completely.

Recipe and Images by IN+SIGHTS GREECE © (Copyright) 

The Best Tsoureki in Athens

Fluffy, doughy, and semi-sweet Tsoureki can be found and enjoyed throughout the year but is traditionally an Easter staple, kneaded on Holy Thursday, the same day when eggs are dyed red (and often a red egg is placed in the centre of the tsoureki).

A wonderful Tsoureki is not easy to make at home, although its ingredients – flour, milk, yeast, eggs, sugar, butter, and for some, aromatic additions like mastic or mahlepi – are simple enough. A fabulous tsoureki is a wonderful gift for any household, and here we reveal nine bakeries in Athens selling the tastiest and most revered tsourekia.

Belle Vue 

With roots in Asia Minor, this family-run bakery makes the classic ‘Politiko’ tsoureki but with subtle aromas.

A: 104 El. Venizelou, Nea Smyrni 

Varsos

Unlike most historical establishments in Athens, this classic patisserie hasn’t dramatically changed its products or decor in decades. What’s more, they make an airy tsoureki with a rich dough inspired by an Austrian recipe with some influences from France. 

A: 5 Kassaveti, Kifissia

Insights Greece - The Best Tsoureki in Athens

Evi 

Well known for their tsoureki, made with quality ingredients, this recipe is deeply inspired by the owner’s family roots in Asia Minor.  

A: 2 Ilision & 4 Nymphaion, Ilissia

Lido 

Since 1967, the bakery makes a tsoureki with a rich mastic and butter taste. You can also find the “indulgent” chocolate-filled version. 

A: 35 Chremonidou, Pangrati

Ta Gioulia 

Extremely airy and fluffy, this tsoureki recipe has been a hit since 1945. You can now also find versions filled with praline cream, chestnut cream, and cherry jam.

A: 24 Mesologgiou, Nea Ionia

Insights Greece - The Best Tsoureki in Athens

Takis Bakery

Not very fluffy but with a depth of flavour, the tsoureki sold here is inspired by Asia Minor and made with mastic, mahlepi and creamy butter. You can also find tsoureki stuffed with chocolate, caramelized almonds, wild cherry and orange-raisin. 

A: 14 Misaraliotou, Makryianni

Hatzis 

Since 1908 this famous Thessaloniki bakery has been making tsoureki that is much talked about. It’s elastic, but not too thick or chewy. You can find a plain version or one with chestnut cream and either a white or dark chocolate topping.  

A: 5 Mitropoleos, Syntagma

Chryssinas Bakery 

Here you’ll find not one or two but eight types of tsoureki, with all kinds of indulgent fillings, including dark chocolate chunks and orange and patisserie cream.

A: 4 Bairaktari, Katechaki 

Terkenlis

Last but not least, Greece’s most famous Tsoureki house Terkenlis, which originated in Thessaloniki, is a must. From traditional brioche to ones coated with dark chocolate, white chocolate, and others filled with cream; there are also vegan options available here. P.S. We recommend you try the Oreo Greek brioche! 

A: The Mall, 35 Andrea Papandreou Street, Marousi; Golden Hall, 37AL Kifisias St, Marousi; 100- 102 Papanikoli St, Chalandri