Cooking Times

45 min
Prep Time
45 min
Cook Time
90 min
Total Time

Ingredients (12 items)

6.00 cups All-purpose flour
2.00 packets Active dry yeast
2.00 cups Whole milk
warm
0.75 cup Sugar
3.00 Eggs
0.50 cup Butter
melted
2.00 tbsp Orange zest
1.00 tsp Cinnamon
1.00 tsp Mahlab
ground cherry pit spice
1.00 cup Walnuts
chopped
3.00 tbsp Sesame seeds
1.00 tsp Salt

Instructions (8 steps)

1
Dissolve yeast in warm milk with 1 tbsp sugar. Let proof 10 minutes.
10 minutes
2
Mix flour, remaining sugar, salt, cinnamon, mahlab in large bowl.
3
Add yeast mixture, 2 eggs, butter, orange zest. Knead 10 minutes.
10 minutes
4
Knead in walnuts. Let rise in warm place until doubled, 90 minutes.
90 minutes
5
Punch down, save small piece for decorations. Shape into round loaf.
6
Form cross on top from dough ropes. Add decorative symbols (doves, grapes).
7
Brush with beaten egg, sprinkle with sesame seeds. Rise 45 minutes.
45 minutes
8
Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes until golden. Cool before blessing and slicing.
45 minutes