Greek Vasilopita Bread Recipe

 

AuthorSteve Nubie
Rating
ShareSave

Greek Vasilopita bread is a classic New Year’s tradition in Greece. Curiously, even though it has the word “pita” in its name it looks nothing like pita bread. It actually resembles Jewish Challah bread in some respects given that it’s braided. However, the final form is a wreath of braided bread. Sea salt often tops the loaf and its usually glazed with an egg wash of egg yolk and a little water. The large grains of sea salt represent good luck and wealth.

This recipe starts in the bread machine using the dough cycle and then is finished on the counter top and baked in the oven. We’ll cover the key steps for making this bread especially the braiding component. Even though this is a New Year’s bread it’s great for any special occasion or to simply make every day special.

INGREDIENTS:
 3/4 cup of milk (100 degrees F/38 degrees C)
 3 eggs beaten + 1 egg for glaze
 3/4 cups sugar
 1 1/2 teaspoons of grated orange rind
 1/4 teaspoon of salt
 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
 1/2 cup of butter melted
 4 1/2 cups of bread flour or all-purpose flour
 2 teaspoons of bread machine yeast or active dry yeast
Glaze:
 1 egg whisked
 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
DIRECTIONS:
1

Add all ingredients to the bread pan in the order indicated and select the dough course.

2

When the dough course is complete pour the dough onto a lightly floured surface and cut into six equal pieces (see photos)

3

Roll out the pieces into ropes of dough about 20 to 24 inches long. (see photos)

4

You might want to do some of this on an unfloured surface to get more traction

5

Stretch out the ropes and align them for braiding. Braid the bread and then shape into a round loaf and place on an oiled baking sheet. (see photos)

6

Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 30 to 45 minutes.

7

Preheat oven to 375° F./ 190° C.

8

After dough has risen, glaze with whisked egg and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

9

Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Remove and let rest for 10 minutes and then serve. You don’t slice this bread, you break it apart and eat the pieces by hand.

Ingredients

INGREDIENTS:
 3/4 cup of milk (100 degrees F/38 degrees C)
 3 eggs beaten + 1 egg for glaze
 3/4 cups sugar
 1 1/2 teaspoons of grated orange rind
 1/4 teaspoon of salt
 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
 1/2 cup of butter melted
 4 1/2 cups of bread flour or all-purpose flour
 2 teaspoons of bread machine yeast or active dry yeast
Glaze:
 1 egg whisked
 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt

Directions

DIRECTIONS:
1

Add all ingredients to the bread pan in the order indicated and select the dough course.

2

When the dough course is complete pour the dough onto a lightly floured surface and cut into six equal pieces (see photos)

3

Roll out the pieces into ropes of dough about 20 to 24 inches long. (see photos)

4

You might want to do some of this on an unfloured surface to get more traction

5

Stretch out the ropes and align them for braiding. Braid the bread and then shape into a round loaf and place on an oiled baking sheet. (see photos)

6

Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 30 to 45 minutes.

7

Preheat oven to 375° F./ 190° C.

8

After dough has risen, glaze with whisked egg and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

9

Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Remove and let rest for 10 minutes and then serve. You don’t slice this bread, you break it apart and eat the pieces by hand.

Greek Vasilopita Bread Recipe

7 Helpful Products for Your Kitchen - Limited Offers!

Fridge Menu/Dinner Planner (Dry-Erase Whiteboard)

A complete set of 10″ x 16″ magnetic dry-erase menu/dinner planner for your refrigerator, one smaller whiteboard for grocery list, and 8 multicolor markers.

$21.95 $29.95

Limited offer! Get 10% OFF with our coupon code: 'SAVE10BREAD'
Fridge Menu/Dinner Planner (Wet/Dry-Erase Blackboard)

A complete set of 10″ x 16″ magnetic wet/dry-erase menu/dinner planner for your refrigerator (chalkboard), one smaller black board for grocery list, and 8 multicolor markers.

$24.95 $29.95

Limited offer! Get 10% OFF with our coupon code: 'SAVE10BREAD'
Premium 17 Inch (Standard Size) Stainless Steel Magnetic Knife Holder - for Wall

Professional Magnetic Knife Strip - Space-Saving Knife Rack/Knife Bar With Powerful Magnetic Pull Force

$29.95 $44.95

Limited offer! Get 10% OFF with our coupon code: 'SAVE10BREAD'
Fridge Applicable (Double-Sided) 17 Inch Stainless Steel Magnetic Knife Holder - for Fridge/Wall

Professional Double Sided Knife Strip For Refrigerator - Knife Rack/Knife Bar With Powerful Magnetic Pull Force

$39.95 $54.95

Limited offer! Get 10% OFF with our coupon code: 'SAVE10BREAD'
Premium 10 Inch (Small Size) Stainless Steel Magnetic Knife Holder - for Wall

Professional Magnetic Knife Strip - Space-Saving Knife Rack/Knife Bar With Powerful Magnetic Pull Force

$21.95 $34.95

Limited offer! Get 10% OFF with our coupon code: 'SAVE10BREAD'
Premium 24 Inch (Large Size) Stainless Steel Magnetic Knife Holder - for Wall

24 Inch Heavy-Duty Magnetic Knife Holder (Large Size) - Professional Space-Saving Knife Rack/Bar With Powerful Magnetic Pull Force

$44.95 $54.95

Limited offer! Get 10% OFF with our coupon code: 'SAVE10BREAD'
Magnetic Dry Erase Whiteboard for Refrigerator

Large Size Organizer for Grocery/to-Do Lists. Full Set of Two Whiteboards: 17.5 x 13.5 Inch & 12 x 8 Inch, 8 Markers and 1 Eraser

$23.95 $29.95

Limited offer! Get 10% OFF with our coupon code: 'SAVE10BREAD'
We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply