Kouloures (Easter Bread)

This traditional Greek Easter bread, known as Kouloures, is a festive centerpiece for holiday tables. The dough is rich and slightly sweet, infused with warm cinnamon and a hint of butter, creating a tender crumb that holds its shape beautifully. The distinctive feature of this loaf is the insertion of hard-boiled eggs, traditionally dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ, pressed into the hot bread immediately after baking. The result is a rustic, aromatic loaf with a crisp sesame-crusted exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. It pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea and serves as both a ceremonial bread and a delicious snack. Perfect for Easter celebrations, this recipe brings authentic Greek flavor and tradition to your kitchen.

Cooking Method: Baking, Boiling

Cuisine: Greek

Courses: Baked Goods

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 2

Calories: 1527.9

Dietary: Vegetarian

Description

This traditional Greek Easter bread, known as Kouloures, is a festive centerpiece for holiday tables. The dough is rich and slightly sweet, infused with warm cinnamon and a hint of butter, creating a tender crumb that holds its shape beautifully. The distinctive feature of this loaf is the insertion of hard-boiled eggs, traditionally dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ, pressed into the hot bread immediately after baking. The result is a rustic, aromatic loaf with a crisp sesame-crusted exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. It pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea and serves as both a ceremonial bread and a delicious snack. Perfect for Easter celebrations, this recipe brings authentic Greek flavor and tradition to your kitchen.

Ingredients

1 package Dry yeast
1/2 cup Warm water
1/2 cup Boiling water
1 teaspoon Cinnamon; ground
3/4 cup Sugar
3 Eggs
1/4 cup Butter; melted
1/2 cup Warm milk
1 teaspoon Baking powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
5 cup Flour (all-purpose)
1 Egg Yolk; beaten
5 Eggs; hard-cooked; unshelled -and dyed red
1/4 cup Sesame seeds

Directions

1
Soften yeast in warm water and set aside until foamy.
2
Combine boiling water and cinnamon; set aside.
3
Combine sugar and eggs; beat well.
4
Add melted butter to egg mixture and beat again.
5
Skim off 1/4 cup clear cinnamon water.
6
Add cinnamon water along with yeast and milk to egg mixture, blending well.
7
Combine dry ingredients and add to batter; knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
8
Shape dough to fit into 2 greased 8 inch round pans; crisscross 2 strips of dough over each loaf.
9
Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk.
10
Brush loaves with beaten egg yolk and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
11
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until brown.
12
Push dyed eggs into bread immediately when loaves are removed from oven.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 2

Amount Per Serving
Calories 1527.9kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 20.4g32%
Saturated Fat 9.8g50%
Cholesterol 172.7mg58%
Sodium 2906.4mg122%
Total Carbohydrate 292.4g98%
Dietary Fiber 10.3g42%
Sugars 48.0g
Protein 38.6g78%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Prepare the hard-boiled eggs ahead of time and dye them red. Keep them unshelled until ready to insert into the hot bread.

The cinnamon water should settle so that the clear liquid can be skimmed off, leaving the heavy cinnamon sediment behind. This adds flavor without making the dough gritty.

Ensure the dough is fully risen before baking for a light and airy texture. If your kitchen is cool, place the covered pans in a turned-off oven with the light on to help them rise.

Be careful when inserting the eggs into the hot bread; use oven mitts and press them gently but firmly into the center of each loaf.

Keywords: easter, greek, bread, kouloures, yeast, cinnamon, sweet, holiday, sesame, eggs, traditional, baking, flour, milk, butter, red, dyed, loaf, festive, homemade

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/kouloures-easter-bread/