Turkish Easter Bread

I thought I was done baking Easter breads this year until I saw this recipe on one of my favorite blogs.  You can view it here:  http://ozlemsturkishtable.com/2014/04/easter-bread-with-mahlep-from-istanbul-paskalya-coregi/
 It takes quite a while to rise and it doesn't rise as much as a regular bread does.

 The secret ingredient is mahlab.  This is a spice made from the ground pit of sour cherries.  It is a wonderful nutty flavor and the aroma is outstanding.  Pensey's carries this spice.

 You need to grind the spice before using it.

 I, of course, had to add icing. And slivered almonds.

 I served it with strawberry jam I had just made.  The bread was so good on it's own that no one wanted to use the jam.  I insisted and they said it was even better with the jam.Thanks for another great recipe Ozlem!

Comments

Anonymous said…
This recipe is look very much like one we have over here, we use it to make something called Semla, a kind of wheat bun filled with almond paste and topped with whipped cream. But we have cardamom insteadof mahlab.

I wonder if we can find mahlab in the big cities here? Now I need to find it just so I can try this :-)

Have a great day!
Christer.

April 21, 2014 at 6:14 AM
Megs said…
This looks wonderful! I made some paska yesterday and chopped liver and matzo rolls the day before! I'm eating leftovers today.
April 21, 2014 at 6:46 AM
brokenteepee said…
You are going to have to start making your post-Easter breads now ;)
April 21, 2014 at 7:21 AM
Debra She Who Seeks said…
Hey, for Easter here I ate some hot cross buns from Safeway. Not in your league, I know, but it's the best I could do, LOL!
April 21, 2014 at 8:00 AM
Nellie said…
This looks absolutely delicious! It matters not that this Easter Day is now in the past.:)
April 21, 2014 at 8:27 AM
Anonymous said…
that looks amazing, I have never heard of this before, I love making yeast bread if I can find this spice I will try, I doubt very much we would have this though, I hope you had a good weekend, is Teddy better?
April 21, 2014 at 8:38 AM
TARYTERRE said…
What a delicious looking bread. I bet it smells wonderful too.
April 21, 2014 at 9:45 AM
Guillaume said…
Reminds me of the British hot cross buns. I guess I am not being very original here.
April 21, 2014 at 3:44 PM
Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said…
I would love to be as passionate about cooking as you are! :) I get so much from your blog..and lots I pass on to relatives and friends.
This bread recipe is going to my daughter, Erin Kathleen! She is going to SMILE!
April 22, 2014 at 4:48 AM
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