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Choereg - Armenian Easter Bread
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Choereg - Armenian Easter Bread

Choereg - Armenian Easter Bread is an egg rich bread, similar to challah. However, with a twist flavored with a mahleb, a spice made from cherries.
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Armenian
Servings: 20 slices
Calories: 219kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm milk 115 - 120 F
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons dry active yeast
  • 5 eggs
  • 1/2 cup melted butter
  • 3/4 sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground mahleb
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 6 1/2 cups bread flour
  • egg wash 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

  • In a shallow bowl, combine milk with the 1 tablespoon of sugar. Mix and sprinkle yeast on top.
  • Leave to rest for 5-10 minutes, until foamy.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat eggs well until frothy.
  • Add butter, sugar, vanilla and mahleb. Mix well until thoroughly combined. SEE NOTE
  • Add salt and flour.
  • Knead for 10 minutes, until dough is smooth, soft and elastic. Dough should be soft, but not sticky.
  • Place in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap sprayed with non stick spray.
  • Cover with a kitchen towel and leave to dry in a warm place for about 5 hours, until doubled in volume.
  • Divide dough into 3 equal portions, each weighing approximately 1 lb. 3 oz.
  • Roll each portion into a long rope, about 17".
  • Braid the 3 ropes into one long braid.
  • Place diagonally on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or sprayed with non stick spray. SEE NOTE #2
  • Cover and let dough rise again for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Brush loaf with egg wash.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and crusty on top.

Notes

  • Make sure melted butter is cool. If the butter is not, it may cause the eggs to scramble.
  • Alternately, you can divide the dough in half and make 2 smaller loaves.

Nutrition

Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 121mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 221IU | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
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