Christopsomo (Greek Christmas Bread) Recipe
Christopsomo, or Christ's Bread, is a traditional sweet bread requiring careful dough preparation and decorative shaping.
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Instructions
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Preheat oven to 450F (230C) with a pan containing 1 inch of water.
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Combine yeast, 1/2 cup warm water, and 2 tablespoons flour; let bubble for 10 minutes.
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Sift salt with 2/3 of the flour in a large bowl, then add the yeast mixture, remaining warm water, and wine to the center.
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Mix until a soft dough forms, then cover and let rise for 1.5 to 2 hours until doubled.
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Punch down and knead the dough until air pockets are gone.
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Sift in the remaining flour, then add oil, orange juice, brandy, and grated orange peel.
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Mix sugar, raisins, walnuts, pine nuts, mastic/anise, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg; add to the dough.
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Knead dough for about 10 minutes until firm and non-sticky, then cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
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Shape two 8-inch circular loaves on a lightly buttered pan. Cover and let rise until doubled.
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Score a cross into each loaf top and place an unshelled walnut in the center.
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Brush loaves with milk and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
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Bake for 15 minutes. Remove water pan, reduce oven to 390F (200C), and bake for 25-30 minutes more.
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Remove from oven, brush with water, and cool on a rack.