Easter Breads

Choereg, known as Tsoureki in Greece, is traditionally flavored with ground sour cherry pits, called makhlepi or mahaleb (or mahleb). This ingredient can be found at specialty spice purveyors or Middle Eastern markets.

Whether you eat them on Good Friday or Easter morning, hot cross buns are a welcome treat.

For the ambitious baker, yeasted babka dough can be rolled out very thin and filled with a cinnamon-nut mixture or chocolate filling. Roll up into a log, like a cinnamon roll, and coil into a greased loaf pan or springform pan before proofing and baking.

Many Easter foods are symbolic--eggs are recognized as a symbol of life and rebirth. Poppies symbolize the Passion of the Christ and the peaceful sleep of the dead, while honey represents sweetness and abundance.