Background
In Eastern and Middle Europe making braided bread for Easter is an important tradition. The bread is similar to Challah but it’s sweeter and has milk in it. This lemon and pistachio Easter bread can easily be dairy free - just use plant-based margarin and milk. Also, I made the dough in my bread-maker, which speeded things up. Serve it for Easter breakfast or afternoon tea.
Ingredients
- 250 ml milk or plant-based milk
- 50g butter or dairy-free margarine (melted)
- 2 egg yolks
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 500g flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 50g sugar
- 10g packet of vanilla sugar
- 7g instant yeast
- For the pistachio filling:
- 100g ground pistachio kernel
- 4 Tbsp double cream (approx.) or plant-based alternative
- About 3 Tbsp muscovado sugar
- Zest of 1/ lemon
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- For the glaze:
- 50 ml milk or plant-based milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp sugar
Instructions
- Put the ingredients in the above order into the bread machine.
- Set the machine to the DOUGH (kneading) or BRIOCHE DOUGH program, to knead and proof the dough.
- Meanwhile, make the pistachio filling. Heat the cream with the sugar until the sugar has melted, then turn off the heat.
- Add the ground pistachios and the lemon zest and juice. If it’s too thick, add more cream or lemon juice. Taste, and add more sugar to your liking. You should get a coarse spreadable paste. Set aside.
- When the program ends (it should take about 90-110), remove the dough onto a large, lightly floured chopping board.
- The dough should be spongy and not sticky. If it’s sticky, sprinkle it with flour and keep punching it with your knuckles.
- Divide the dough into three parts, then them out, on by one, into a rectangular shape.
- Spread the pistachio paste in mainly in middle part of the dough, then roll each up roll each into 30 cm long logs.
- Put the logs next to each other onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- At one end, stick them together, then braid them tightly and stick the other ends together too.
- Mix the glaze, then brush top generously with it.
- Bake in the middle of a preheated oven, at 170°C, for about 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Take it out of the oven, let it cool, then slice & serve.
Categories
- Meal Type: - Bake - Bread & Rolls - Breakfast - Brunch - Seasonal
- Cuisines: - Greek - Mid&East European
- Occasions: - Afternoon Tea - Anniversaries - Easter - Mothers Day - Valentine's Day
- Health and Diet: - Dairy Free - Vegetarian
- Skill Levels: - Moderate
You might also like
Recent Recipes
-
Herby Roast Beef with Roasted Vegetables
This herby roast beef is a classic Sunday lunch dish...
Recipe by Dinna | -
Anchovy and Halloumi Frittata
This anchovy and halloumi frittata is a simple, satisfying dish...
Recipe by Dinna | -
Shiitake, Broad Bean and Rice Salad
This shiitake, broad bean and rice salad is a quick,...
Recipe by Wholeness | -
Mexican-Style Leftover Roast Beef Stew
This Mexican-style roast beef stew is a simple and satisfying...
Recipe by Dinna |
Recent Posts
-
Sour Cherry Recipes
Sour cherry recipes are especially popular across Central and...
Post by Dinna | -
Raspberry recipes
Raspberry recipes are especially popular during summer, when fresh...
Post by Dinna | -
Kiwi Recipes
Over the last few decades, kiwi has become a kitchen...
Post by Dinna | -
Strawberries
Strawberries are one of the most loved fruits of late...
Post by Dinna | -
Buckwheat
Buckwheat has been making a comeback in recent years—but it’s...
Post by Dinna |
Site Search – use quotes ” ” for an exact phrase match
Like Us On Facebook …





