How to Make Armenian Easter Bread (Cheoreg)

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Make Armenian Easter Bread (Cheoreg)

How to Make Armenian Easter Bread (Cheoreg)

Traditional Armenian Easter bread is enjoyed by many, especially if it is homemade and delicious. This recipe makes a lot-because we share it with just about everyone. Feel free to divide the recipe.

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Step 1 of 22
Measure 2 cups sugar and place in your blender.

Measure 2 cups sugar and place in your blender.

Step 2 of 22
Crack 10 eggs (in room temperature) to the sugar in the blender-and blend!

Crack 10 eggs (in room temperature) to the sugar in the blender-and blend!

Step 3 of 22
Measure remaining 2 cups sugar, with 4 cups milk in a large pot.

Measure remaining 2 cups sugar, with 4 cups milk in a large pot.

Step 4 of 22
Remove wrapping of your 1/2 stick butter (8 oz) and your 4 margarine sticks (4 oz each, 16 oz total). I like to use Challenge Butter and Fleischmann's margarine.

Remove wrapping of your 1/2 stick butter (8 oz) and your 4 margarine sticks (4 oz each, 16 oz total). I like to use Challenge Butter and Fleischmann's margarine.

Step 5 of 22
Melt butter, margarine into the sugar and milk mixture.

Melt butter, margarine into the sugar and milk mixture.

Step 6 of 22
Add 3, 1/4 oz packets (3/4 oz total) of yeast into warm water with a pinch of sugar. Just add enough water to make it wet.

Add 3, 1/4 oz packets (3/4 oz total) of yeast into warm water with a pinch of sugar. Just add enough water to make it wet.

Step 7 of 22
Mastic-something quite unusual found in International and Mid-Eastern markets. It is somewhat like incense and will make your Easter bread quite fragrant.

Mastic-something quite unusual found in International and Mid-Eastern markets. It is somewhat like incense and will make your Easter bread quite fragrant.

Step 8 of 22
Another fragrant spice, Mahleb. Again, most likely only available at specialty Middle-Eastern stores. You may omit mastic and mahleb, but replace with 2 tbsp of vanilla or almond extract instead.

Another fragrant spice, Mahleb. Again, most likely only available at specialty Middle-Eastern stores. You may omit mastic and mahleb, but replace with 2 tbsp of vanilla or almond extract instead.

Step 9 of 22
Crush mastic with Mahleb on the bottom of your large bowl to ensure well incorporation.

Crush mastic with Mahleb on the bottom of your large bowl to ensure well incorporation.

Step 10 of 22
In the meantime, allow butter-milk-sugar mixture to return to room temperature.

In the meantime, allow butter-milk-sugar mixture to return to room temperature.

Step 11 of 22
Sift a 5 lb bag or about 12 cups of all-purpose flour into your large bowl.

Sift a 5 lb bag or about 12 cups of all-purpose flour into your large bowl.

Step 12 of 22
Once the butter-sugar-milk mixture has arrived to room temperature, slowly add egg mixture to it, and stir to combine.

Once the butter-sugar-milk mixture has arrived to room temperature, slowly add egg mixture to it, and stir to combine.

Step 13 of 22
Slowly pour liquid into your flour, mixing together to form a thick dough. Consistency is key. Knead dough until it is just as soft and squishy as your ear lobe cartilage. Cover in plastic wrap.

Slowly pour liquid into your flour, mixing together to form a thick dough. Consistency is key. Knead dough until it is just as soft and squishy as your ear lobe cartilage. Cover in plastic wrap.

Step 14 of 22
Cover with towels to insulate, and let dough rise for 4.5 hours. I like to keep mine in the oven (of course turned off!)

Cover with towels to insulate, and let dough rise for 4.5 hours. I like to keep mine in the oven (of course turned off!)

Step 15 of 22
We've waited and our patience is now rewarded. Take about 1/2 cup dough and form smooth balls, oiling your hands if necessary.

We've waited and our patience is now rewarded. Take about 1/2 cup dough and form smooth balls, oiling your hands if necessary.

Step 16 of 22
They should look similar to this.

They should look similar to this.

Step 17 of 22

Quick video how to braid dough!

Step 18 of 22
Easiest way to cook these is in cupcake liners in a cupcake tin. Use an egg yolk and (optional 1/4 tsp whiskey) to make an egg wash to brown your Easter bread. The whiskey will help brown the top.

Easiest way to cook these is in cupcake liners in a cupcake tin. Use an egg yolk and (optional 1/4 tsp whiskey) to make an egg wash to brown your Easter bread. The whiskey will help brown the top.

Step 19 of 22
Traditional Cheoreg has black and white sesame or caraway seeds sprinkled on top.

Traditional Cheoreg has black and white sesame or caraway seeds sprinkled on top.

Step 20 of 22
For extra special Cheoreg, slivered almonds are a great addition!

For extra special Cheoreg, slivered almonds are a great addition!

Step 21 of 22
Bake in the oven at 350° F for 45 min to 1 hr. Enjoy with hot tea or just by itself!

Bake in the oven at 350° F for 45 min to 1 hr. Enjoy with hot tea or just by itself!

Step 22 of 22
You may also roll out dough into long worms, and braid together to make a different shape. However you make this Armenian Easter Bread, Cheoreg is absolute family tradition! Enjoy!

You may also roll out dough into long worms, and braid together to make a different shape. However you make this Armenian Easter Bread, Cheoreg is absolute family tradition! Enjoy!

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16 Comments
Supplies

1 Large Bucket/Bowl

10 Eggs, room temperature

4 Cups Sugar, divided

4 Cups Milk

2 Stick unsalted butter, softened

16 Ounces Unsalted Margarine, softened

3 1/4 oz packets of Fleischmann's Rapid Rise Yeast

1 Teaspoon Mastic

2 Tablespoons Mahleb

5 Pounds All-purpose Flour

1 Cup Black/White Sesame Seeds

½ Cups Slivered Almonds (optional)

1 Egg yolk

Sarah Timpson

Great recipe. Thanks - I'm going to try it.

Sarah Timpson last year

Draya Santoro

Looks lovely

Draya Santoro last year

Michael Wan S L

謝謝你。than you very much. Will try some day.

Michael Wan S L last year

Mar Flo

This looks delicious. In Greek this bread is called Tsoureki. I can't wait to try your version.

Mar Flo last year

Lini D

Looks lovely! I finally have a use for my mastic that I brought home from my Greek holiday!

Lini D last year

Kholoud M AlOmani

Thanks💗

Kholoud M AlOmani last year

Don Westby

Thank you for sharing this fantastic bread . It is definitely on my bucket list

Don Westby last year

Kate Richbourg

Great Cheoreg recipe. I love the addition of almonds to the top and putting them in cupcake wrappers.

Kate Richbourg last year

Chad Markling

This looks delicious! I do think I will try it out Thnx

Chad Markling last year

San Ng

Looks amazing. I will try.

San Ng last year

Duke Inkem

Easter bread is my favorite part of the holiday! Yummy.

Duke Inkem last year

Sandy Tebben

Great idea! Thanks

Sandy Tebben last year

Christina Bekaroglu

I hope you all try it! This batch makes a lot of dough, so you may want to even divide the recipe in half (or even a quarter), especially if it's your first time!

(author) last year

Kate O.

That looks so yummy! I have never heard of it before...I think I'll have to try it.

Kate O. last year

Sandy Tebben

Looks fabulous

Sandy Tebben last year

Can Duruk

This looks really delicious.

Can Duruk last year

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Christina Bekaroglu

In the supplies; 1 tsp mastic and 2 tbsp mahleb

(author) last year

Paullette Jean-Jacques

How much mastic and maglev

Paullette Jean-Jacques last year

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