Makes: 2 large 15” loaves
Or
6 small 7”-8” loaves
Ingredients
4+ cups warm water
2 - 2 1/2 cups sugar depending on the sweetness you prefer (+ tablespoon for feeding yeast)
10 cups all-purpose white flour
1/4 cup orange blossom
3 tablespoons Mahalab
2 packets of yeast (1/2 oz total)
1/2 cup Rose water (to brush wash bread after baking)
(Preferred brands of orange blossom, rose water are in the photo above)
Directions:
Add 2 packets of yeast with 4+ cups of warm water, 1 tablespoon of sugar inside a large bowl and mix slightly to incorporate the yeast. Set aside for 10 min or until a froth layer is formed.
◦ In same large mixing bowl, incorporate all ingredients: flour, orange blossom, mahalab and sugar (set rose water aside for later).
◦ Hand-knead dough for about 10 minutes until uniform and soft, not sticky, electric dough mixers may be used.
◦ Divide dough into 6 equal size round balls or 2 equal large balls.
Score into the dough a cross
Shape, bless, cover, and let rest for
20 minutes.
◦ Roll out dough into circular, 1/2” thick and about 7-8” diameter, or 3/4” thick, 12”-15” diameter.
◦ . Spray a light coat of vegetable oil and cover dough till double size. This may take 2 hours depending on the room temperature.
◦ Just prior to baking, score the dough with the seal of Christ. Make sure the score is deep for best results. You can use an already made seal or hand score the Seal of Christ. IMPORTANT: punch a serious of holes with skewer or fork to keep bread from forming big pockets while baking.
◦ Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 min (until golden brown. Note: the bread often bakes on the bottom faster than the top. If so, set to broil very briefly till golden on top. Be careful not to burn top.
◦ Take out of oven and very generously brush with rose water.
Pray before enjoying.