Vasilopita (Greek New Year's Bread

• Vegetarian

• Produce

  • 1 Orange, Zest of large

• Refrigerated

  • 4 Plus 1 eggs

• Baking & Spices

  • 2 packages Active dry yeast
  • 7 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 Sesame seeds
  • 3/4 cup Sugar

• Dairy

  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 2 cups Milk

Found on bowlofdelicious.com

Description

Ingredients

• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 2 cups milk, warmed
• ¾ cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar
• 7 to 7½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 plus 1 eggs, lightly beaten
• zest of one large orange
• sesame seeds

Directions

• Dissolve yeast in one cup of warmed milk with one teaspoon sugar. Cover and allow to double in volume for about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix 7 cups of flour, salt, and ¾ cups sugar in large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center. When the yeast has finished doubling, add to flour mixture, as well as butter, 4 eggs, the rest of the milk, and orange zest.
• Mix until dough is smooth.
• Knead on floured surface for 10-15 minutes and place in a buttered or oiled bowl, turning once to coat the top. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place for 2-3 hours, or until doubled in size.
• Punch dough down and divide into two. Knead each for a few minutes and place in two buttered 9-inch pans. Allow to rise until doubled in size for about one hour in a warm place.
• Using a sharp knife, carve decorative patterns into the top of each loaf, such as with lines radiating out from the center. Using a pastry brush, brush the top of each loaf with the remaining beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• Bake at 375F for 10 minutes, turn the temperature down to 350F and bake for another 30 minutes or until the tops of each loaf turn a deep chestnut brown.
• Allow to cool on racks. At this point, you can insert a coin into the bottom of the loaf using a toothpick or skinny knife to push it in.