Nothing says Christmas in Greece like the warm, spicy aroma of Christopsomo. This traditional Greek Christmas bread is more than food; it’s a symbol of faith, family, and love. With a rich history and deep-rooted traditions, Christopsomo holds a special place on the festive table.

The Origin of Christopsomo

The name Christopsomo means “Christ’s Bread.” It dates back to early Christian traditions in Greece. Families prepared Christopsomo bread as an offering to Christ, believing it would bless their homes with prosperity. Its round shape and decorative cross on top symbolize Christ’s presence in the household.

History and Meaning

Families traditionally baked Christopsomo with the finest ingredients available, often saving their best flour, oil, and spices for this special loaf. They carefully created intricate designs with dough ropes, forming crosses, flowers, or other symbols of faith. These decorations told a story, reflecting the family’s gratitude and prayers.

Tradition on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, Christopsomo takes center stage as the head of the family cuts the bread, making the sign of the cross before sharing it. They give each piece with blessings for health and happiness in the coming year. This act reinforces the bond between family members and their faith.

Interesting Facts

• Traditional Greek Christopsomo bread is made only during Christmas, unlike other Greek festive breads. In contrast, many other festive breads are baked throughout the year for various celebrations. However, Christopsomo holds a unique place, reserved specifically for the Christmas season, symbolizing the holiday’s sacred significance.
• The spices, like cinnamon and cloves, symbolize the gifts of the Magi.
• Some regions include raisins or nuts, which represent abundance.
• The decorative designs often include initials of the family name or religious symbols.

Tips for Making Perfect Christopsomo

1. Use fresh yeast for the best rise in your Traditional Greek Christopsomo bread.
2. Warm your liquids to about 37°C (100°F) to activate the yeast.
3. Knead the dough thoroughly until smooth and elastic.
4. Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area.
5. Get creative with your designs! Use dough ropes to make crosses, flowers, or spirals.
6. Brush the top with egg wash for a golden finish. Add a honey glaze for extra shine.
7. Let the bread cool completely before cutting to preserve its texture.

Traditional Greek Christopsomo bread isn’t just bread; it’s a heartfelt tradition passed down through generations. Baking it fills your home with warmth and joy, bringing the spirit of Greek Christmas to your table. Share it with loved ones and keep the tradition alive. Kali Christougenna!

Christopsomo Recipe

Christopsomo (Greek Christmas Bread)

Kastra Recipes Staff

Christopsomo is a traditional Greek Christmas bread symbolizing faith and family unity. Decorated with intricate designs and rich in festive spices, this bread is a centerpiece of the Greek holiday table. With simple ingredients and a heartfelt tradition, Christopsomo is a joy to bake and share with loved ones.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Resting Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Greek

Servings 12 people

Calories 364 kcal

Ingredients

  

Poolish Ingredients

• 150 gr bread flour
• 150 gr lukewarm water
• 12 gr fresh yeast
• 2 rso sugar

Dough Ingredients

• 450 gr bread flour
• 60 gr fine semolina for texture
• 24 gr fresh yeast about 5 tsp
• ¼ tsp salt
• 120 gr sugar
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground clove
• 1 ¼ tsp ground mahleb optional
• Zest of 1 large orange
• 160 gr lukewarm milk
• 150 gr olive oil
• 1 large egg beaten, for brushing
• 100 gr chopped walnuts or almonds optional
• 100 gr raisins optional
• 100 gr candied fruit or orange zest optional
• 1 tbsp brandy or raki optional
• 1 tbsp honey for glazing (optional)

Egg wash

• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp water or milk
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

 

Prepare the Poolish (8–16 hours in advance)

• In a medium bowl, dissolve 2 ½ tsp fresh yeast and 2 tsp sugar in 150g lukewarm water.
• Add 150g bread flour and mix until smooth.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let it ferment at room temperature for 8–16 hours, or until bubbly and slightly domed.

Mix the dry ingredients

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, semolina (if using), salt, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, mahleb (if using), and orange zest. Stir to combine.

Combine wet ingredients

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the lukewarm milk, olive oil, and brandy (if using). Add the yeast mixture once it’s ready.
• Add the poolish and wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough starts to come together.

Make the dough

• Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until the dough starts to come together. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10-12 minutes, adding a little flour if needed, until it’s smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step (8–10 minutes).

Add the fruits and nuts (optional)

• If you’re using raisins, chopped walnuts, or candied fruit, knead them into the dough until evenly distributed.

First Rise

• Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean cloth and let it rise for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size

Shape the Bread

• After the dough has risen, punch it down gently and divide it into two portions. Shape one portion into a round loaf and place it on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. From the second portion, roll out a long rope of dough to form a cross on top of the loaf. You can also decorate it with other symbols or shapes as desired.

Divide the dough

• Shape one portion into a round loaf and place it in the 28 cm (11-inch) springform pan, greased or lined with parchment paper.
• Roll the remaining dough into ropes to form decorative crosses or other symbols on top.

Second Rise

• Cover the shaped bread with a cloth and let it rise for another 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Bake the Bread

• Brush the top of the dough with the egg wash and bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown. You can check for doneness by tapping the bottom of the loaf—it should sound hollow or or measuring an internal temperature of 90–95°C (195–205°F).

Glaze the Loaf (Optional)

• While the bread is still warm, melt 1 tbsp honey and brush it over the top for a shiny finish.

Cool and Serve

• Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

1. Customizable Add-ins: While traditional recipes use raisins or nuts, feel free to mix in your favorite dried fruits or even chocolate chips for a modern twist.
2. Mahleb Substitute: If you can’t find mahleb, a small pinch of ground cardamom can mimic its unique flavor.
3. Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare the dough the day before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator overnight. Bring it to room temperature before shaping.
4. Freezing Option: You can freeze Christopsomo after it’s baked. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then defrost and warm in the oven when ready to serve.
5. Decorations: Use almonds, sesame seeds, or dough pieces to create intricate designs. These designs add both beauty and meaning to the bread.
6. Serving Suggestion: Christopsomo pairs wonderfully with a cup of Greek coffee or hot tea.

Keyword Greek-inspired bread recipe, Traditional spiced bread