Easter Bread

Easter Greek (Orthodox)just kidding Tcheurek:
Say a prayer to Tante Astkhig (Stella) before starting ...it is her own recipe.

5 eggs
1 cup milk
1and 1/2 cup sugar (I add a little more)
2 sticks unsalted butter...must be unsalted.(.some sweet butter have salt).
1 teaspoon mahlab ( I add a little more)
1 teas. Habet Baraka..the black small seed.
raisins..(Optional)
now for flavor.
grate(rind) one orange + one Lemon..
Or 2 oranges
or 1 teaspoon..mastica.
For flour...I start with 6 cups..but add more when I knead.
2pks of yeast in 1/2 a cup warm water .remember to add a little sugar to help with the rise of yeast.
(1 pkg yeast is equal to 2teasp and 1/2)
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Beat the eggs, the sugar, the milk (I would barely warm the milk just a little to break the cold from it). Beat these then add the melted butter, the orange rind, .....beat by hand or mixer..
Prepare now the yeast wait till it rises a little then add it to these wet ingredients.
Add the raisins, the flour, the habet baraka the mahlab.
Knead and knead. if it is too sticky add flour..knead more add flour till you think it's enough..add a little flour at a time...Dough must be STICKY...now make the sign of the cross on it..cover and keep in a warm place.
Dough will rise ..maybe in 4 to 5 hours depending on the warmth of the place and the power of the yeasts...sometimes I put more yeast so it can rise faster but be careful not to overdue with the yeast ..because it can be bitter..
After the rising of the dough..shape it like a braid...brush them with eggs(after y. beat it)
and sesame seed (optional) and let them rise again it can take again few hours or less.
Bake ..make sure they won't be too brown..because the bottom will be burned..
Good Luck..
Mom