Easter Bread with Mahlep from Istanbul; Paskalya Coregi
 
 
This is a special Easter bread, Paskalya Coregi, that you can find all year around in bakeries in Istanbul. Fragrant mahlepi, mahlep and mastic makes the bread packed with flavor; slice and enjoy with some jam or honey over.
Author:
Recipe type: A special Easter Bread from Istanbul
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 3 cups and 1 tbsp. all-purpose plain flour, sifted
  • ½ cup (caster) sugar
  • 12 gr/ 1 ½ tsp. dry yeast
  • 5 ml/ 1 tsp. sea salt
  • 15 ml/ 3 tsp. ground mahlep or mahlepi
  • 5 ml/ 1 tsp ground mastic
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten (room temperature)
  • 2 egg yolks, lightly beaten (room temperature)
  • 125 gr/ 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup whole milk, lukewarm
  • For the topping:
  • 1 egg yolk, beaten
  • 10 ml/ 2 tsp. whole milk
  • 45 ml/ 3 tbsp. thinly sliced, flaked almonds
Instructions
  1. Take the eggs out of the fridge about 1,5 hours ahead of time and bring to room temperature.
  2. If you are using whole mahlepi seeds, ground them at food processor with mastic.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients; flour, sugar, yeast, salt, ground mahlepi and mastic. Mix well with a spoon.
  4. Stir in the beaten eggs, egg yolks, melted butter and warm milk to the bowl. Using your hands (or an electric mixer) bring it to a soft dough.
  5. On a lightly floured surface, knead for 3 -5 minutes, until you get a smooth dough.
  6. Put the dough into a greased large bowl, cover with cling film and wrap with a kitchen towel. Place the bowl at a warm part of the kitchen. Let the dough rise and double its size; this takes about 2,5 hours, depending on the room temperature.
  7. Once risen, punch the dough and divide into six equal balls. Roll each ball into 30 cm (12”) long 6 strips.
  8. Place 3 dough strips next to each other side by side. Pinch, seal the top end of the 3 strips so they stay intact. Braid and seal the other end of the strips; you made your first loaf. Repeat the same procedure with the rest of the 3 dough strips to make your 2nd loaf.
  9. Cover the baking tray with parchment paper and place the two braided loaves on it; make sure to leave 3 -4" between the loaves. Cover the loaves loosely with a damp towel. Place the tray at a warm place to rise for another hour.
  10. Preheat the oven to 180 C / 350 F
  11. Beat 1 egg yolk lightly in a small bowl and stir in 2 tsp. whole milk, mix well.
  12. Once the loaves risen, brush them with the egg yolk and milk mixture. Generously sprinkle the flaked almonds over the loaves and gently press so that the almonds stick to the loaf.
  13. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 – 25 minutes. Please check as of 15 minutes, as the loaves go dark rather quickly. In that case, loosely place an oven proof baking paper over to prevent further browning. As of 20 minutes, take the loaves out of the oven and insert a toothpick in the middle to see if it’s cooked. If the toothpick comes clean, that means the loaf is cooked. If not, bake for further 5 minutes or so.
  14. Once cooked, remove from the oven and let the Easter bread, Paskalya Coregi, rest on a wire rack. It will smell heavenly.
  15. Slice the loaf once cooled down; Paskalya coregi is delicious with a little butter and jam or honey over the slice.
Recipe by Ozlem's Turkish Table at https://ozlemsturkishtable.com/?p=16444