Greek Tsoureki

Ingredients

240 ml milk
110 gr sweet butter
1 package dry yeast
100 gr granulated sugar
3 gr salt
2 eggs
75 ml orange juice
6 gr orange rind
700 gr sifted flour
32 gr slivered almonds
26 gr granulated sugar
100 gr sugar until it dissolves
45 ml orange juice
1/2 flour until the mixture begins to bubble
2 par divide
3 parts
1/2 dough to make a tsoureki
375 degree oven

Instructions

brush glaze the tops and sides of loaves. Return to the oven and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until the color is a rich and shiny chestnut. Note: If using the Easter eggs, tuck them into the center when you shape the loaves, leave until loaves have doubled and bake them with the loaf. After baking, though lovely, the eggs will be inedible. Also in some provinces, the tsoureki is formed with a large braid and a smaller one over it, making a much larger loaf requiring a longer baking time.