Best 2 Christopsomo Recipes

Christopsomo, a traditional Greek bread prepared especially for Christmas, symbolizes the body of Christ and is a central part of the Christmas celebration in many Greek households. It is also known as Christopsomo, Christo-psomo, or Christopita, and is typically sweet, often including raisins, nuts, and spices. It can be round or braided, and decorated with a cross or other symbolic designs. Christopsomo is shared among family and friends, and it is believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the coming year. In this article, we will explore some of the best recipes for making Christopsomo, ensuring a delicious and authentic taste for your Christmas celebration.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

CHRISTOPSOMO

Christopsomo image

A Greek Christmas tradition, Christopsomo translates as "bread of Christ." Some families decorate the bread with a cross or "X." The letter "X" is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ and was used as an early abbreviation. Hence "Xmas."

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Breakfast & Brunch Recipes Bread Recipes

Yield Makes two 9-inch loaves

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast (two 1/4-ounce envelopes)
8 cups unbleached bread flour, plus more for surface and more if needed
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 cups whole milk, warmed
2 teaspoons ground anise seeds
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1 teaspoon ground mastic gum
4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pans
5 large eggs, lightly beaten
Vegetable oil, for bowl
1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon whole milk, for egg wash
3 tablespoons sesame seeds

Steps:

Sprinkle yeast, 1 cup flour, and 1/4 cup sugar over milk in a medium bowl. Cover, and let stand for 1 hour.
Combine remaining 7 cups flour and 1 1/2 cups sugar, the anise seeds, salt, orange zest, and mastic gum if desired. Make a well in center of mixture, and add milk mixture, melted butter, and eggs. Mix together ingredients using your hands. Once combined, turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, and knead, adding more flour if needed, until smooth and supple, about 15 minutes.
Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Butter two 9-inch springform pans. Punch down dough, divide in half, and roll each half into a 24-inch-long log. Coil each log into a mounded circle (similar to a snail shell). Transfer each to a prepared pan. Cover with plastic, and let rise until doubled in volume, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush egg wash over tops of loaves, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake until golden brown, about 45 minutes. Transfer pans to a wire rack, and let cool for 15 minutes. Run a knife around edge of pans, and remove bread. Let cool completely on wire rack.

CHRISTOPSOMO (GREEK CHRISTMAS BREAD)

Christopsomo (Greek Christmas Bread) image

Christopsomo, or Christ's Bread, is considered a sacred tradition in many Greek Orthodox homes. The bread is often decorated with pieces of dough formed into representations of the family's life. Time doesn't include proofing time.

Provided by Member 610488

Categories Yeast Breads

Time 1h15m

Yield 2 loaves, 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

8 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons dry yeast
1 cup warm water (105F)
1 cup warm red wine
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup brandy
2 oranges, zest of, grated
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups raisins
1 1/2 cups walnuts, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup pine nuts
1 tablespoon anise seed, crushed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
milk
2 walnuts, whole and unshelled
sesame seeds

Steps:

Mix the yeast with 1/2 cup of warm water and 2 tablespoons of flour, stir until dissolved and set aside for 10 minutes, until it bubbles.
In a large mixing bowl, sift the salt with 2/3 of the flour.
Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in the yeast mixture, the remaining warm water, and the wine.
Mix until a soft dough forms, cover with waxed paper and a damp towel, and set aside to rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until doubled in bulk.
Punch the dough down and knead for several minutes until any air pockets are gone.
Sift in the remaining flour, add the oil, orange juice, brandy, and grated orange peel.
In a small bowl, mix the sugar, raisins, walnuts, pine nuts, anise, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg until blended, and add to the dough.
Knead well until the dough is firm and doesn't stick (about 10 minutes), cover, and allow to rise for 1/2 hour.
On a lightly buttered baking pan, shape the bread into two circular loaves, about 8 inches in diameter.
Cover with a dry cloth and a damp cloth over that, and place in a warm place to rise again, until doubled in size.
Using a floured knife, score a cross into the top of the loaves, and place one whole, unshelled walnut at the center. Brush the bread with milk and scatter with sesame seeds.
Place a pan with at least 1 inch of water in the bottom of the oven and preheat to 450°F
Place the bread in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then remove the pan with the water, reduce heat to 390F and bake for another 25-30 minutes.
Remove from oven, brush lightly with water, and cool on a rack.
Decorate Your Christmas Bread: After the second kneading, pull a fistful of dough from each loaf. Pat the dough back into shape to rise. When risen, use the small pieces of dough to create designs. Make them into the shapes of your choice and place on top of the loaves. Continue with the recipe.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 667.6, Fat 22.7, SaturatedFat 2.5, Sodium 201, Carbohydrate 99.5, Fiber 4.8, Sugar 28.7, Protein 12.8

Tips:

Activate the yeast properly: Make sure to use warm water (around 110°F) and a little sugar to activate the yeast. Proof the yeast for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
Knead the dough well: Kneading the dough develops the gluten, which gives the bread its structure and elasticity. Knead the dough for at least 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Let the dough rise in a warm place: The dough should rise in a warm place (around 75-80°F) for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This will allow the yeast to work its magic and produce gases that will make the bread light and airy.
Shape the dough: Before baking, shape the dough into the desired shape. You can make a traditional round loaf, a braided loaf, or even individual rolls.
Egg wash: Before baking, brush the top of the loaf with an egg wash made from one egg beaten with a tablespoon of water. This will give the bread a golden brown color and a shiny crust.
Bake at the right temperature: The ideal baking temperature for Christopsomo is 350°F. Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

Conclusion:

Christopsomo is a delicious and symbolic bread that is enjoyed by people all over the world. With its rich flavor and unique texture, it is a perfect bread to serve on special occasions or to enjoy as a everyday treat. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced baker, I encourage you to give this recipe a try. With a little patience and care, you can create a beautiful and delicious Christopsomo that your family and friends will love.