Greek Easter Bread

Ingredients

• 5 1/2 cups high-gluten flour, divided
• 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• Icing:
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tablespoon orange juice

Directions

Mix 2 cups flour and yeast together in the bowl of a stand mixer.

Stir milk, butter, sugar, and salt together in a saucepan; heat and stir over medium-low heat until the mixture is smooth and the temperature is between 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) to 100 degrees F (37 degrees C).

Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture, add eggs, and beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Increase speed to high and beat for 3 minutes more. Add 1 cup flour and 3 tablespoons orange juice to the mixture; mix on high for 3 minutes more.

Fit the mixer with a dough hook. Add remaining flour to the mixture; beat with dough hook until the flour is completely incorporated.

Grease a glass bowl. Put dough into the bowl. Let dough rise until doubled in volume, 3 to 4 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Punch dough down. Divide the dough into two halves. Split each half into three even pieces, roll each piece into a cylinder, and braid into loaves. Put loaves onto a baking sheet.

Bake in preheated oven until the middle is baked, 25 to 30 minutes.

Stir confectioners' sugar and 1 tablespoon orange juice together in a bowl; brush onto the tops of the loaves.