Christopsomo
Greek Christmas bread is shared during the holidays at every Greek table.
Ingredients
- 1.2 kg flour all-purpose
- 1 tsp salt
- 220 ml red wine dry
- 110 ml olive oil extra virgin
- 50 ml cognac
- 50 ml orange juice
- orange zest from 2 oranges freshly squeezed
- 7 grams yeast fresh or dry
- spices and seeds a mix of ground star anise, mahlepi, and anise seeds
- chopped walnuts for texture and taste
- raisins, cloves, whole nuts for decoration
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and spices.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the water, yeast, and a couple of tablespoons of flour. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes until bubbly.
- Add the yeast mixture, olive oil, cognac, orange juice, and zest to the dry mixture. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Add nuts, cloves, and raisins if you like them. Save some dough to decorate the final bun.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
- After the first rise, press the dough to release air. Shape it into a round disk and place it in a round pan. Cover again and let rest at warm temperature.
- While the bread rests, roll the extra dough into strips to create the cross and add full nuts at each end of the cross.
- Before baking, brush the top of your bread with a beaten egg and set the cross on the top.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for 25 to 30 minutes. Then, lower the temperature to 170°C and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes.
Notes
- The decoration of Christopsomo is made with nuts, seeds, and fruits, which symbolize prosperity and fertility.
Nutrition
Calories: 408kcal
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