Yia Yia's Tsoureki (Greek Easter Bread)

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Pour yeast into a small bowl; add warm water and 1/4 cup of flour. Stir, cover with two damp kitchen towels, and leave in a warm place until bubbly, about 2 1/2 hours.

2. Step 2

   Combine butter, shortening, and mastic in a saucepan over medium-low heat.

3. Step 3

   Stir milk and sugar together in another saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture is warm. Remove from heat.

4. Step 4

   Pour 2 cups flour into the butter mixture and stir well. Add salt, then stir in the yeast mixture. Add 2 more cups of flour and stir well. Stir in 3 beaten eggs. Slowly add the milk mixture and 1 cup of flour and stir well. Add the room-temperature water and the last cup of flour and stir until the dough is not sticky.

5. Step 5

   Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 20 minutes with lightly floured hands. Form dough into a ball. Cover with damp towels and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.

6. Step 6

   Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease two baking sheets.

7. Step 7

   Divide dough into two pieces and separate each piece into three strands. Braid each of the 3 strands together to form 2 braided loaves. Place on the baking sheets. Nestle the red-dyed eggs between the strands. Brush the dough with the remaining beaten egg. Sprinkle the tops with almonds and sesame seeds.

8. Step 8

   Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes.