What to do with leftover tsoureki, Greek Easter bread

Tsoureki is the sweet Greek Easter bread that is flavoured typically with masticha and mahlepi. This delicious and traditional bread is usually made during Greek Pascha. Extra tsoureki is a great thing, and here are some wonderful ideas of what to do with leftover tsoureki. It can be used in some creative and delicious ways!

There are a few things about Orthodox Easter and Greek families that are pretty standard fare. Daily church services (sometimes more than one a day), beautiful red dyed Easter eggs, and other creative designs, and lamb to help break the fast of Great Lent.

Growing up in my Greek family, Holy Thursday is the day when we try to finish up all of our last minute baking – Pascha is not Pascha without koulourakia, amygdalota and galatopita. It’s also not Pascha without the sweet smell of tsourekia baking. In this post you will discover what to do with your leftover tsoureki.

What is tsoureki?

Tsoureki is a traditional Greek Easter bread and there are many variations. In my family we include mastiha and mahlepi in our recipe; these are both very unique and special ingredients that give our tsourekia a traditional and incredible flavour and aroma. Other people flavour their tsourekia with orange or cardamom, and lately I have seen bakeries coat their tsourekia with chocolate – not traditional, but I bet pretty delicious! If you are looking for a pretty fail proof tsoureki recipe which gives you an aromatic bread that is soft and fluffy, you can find my tsoureki recipe here.

Most Greek families will bake tsourekia in the days leading up to Easter. Those who don’t will usually purchase them from a Greek bakery. It is not unusual to bring tsoureki to guests when visiting them during this holiday period or to tuck one into an Easter basket for a godchild. Often you find yourself on Easter Monday with many loaves of sweet bread. Although they freeze really well, and are delicious just as they are, sometimes it’s fun to get a little creative.

How to make tsoureki?

If you are looking for a fail proof, easy to follow recipe for tsoureki, you can definitely use mine. My tsoureki recipe has been tried by so many people, and everyone who tries it says they will never turn to another recipe! That is really high praise, and I am super proud to know that in some way, Mia Kouppa is part of so many people’s Easter celebrations!

If you want my easy recipe for tsoureki to be even easier, then try making my Tsoureki, Greek sweet Easter bread, rolls or muffins. All the great flavour, with no need to create a braided loaf.

Delicious recipes using tsoureki

Tsoureki Paximadia or Tsoureki Biscotti

This is a great way to preserve your leftover tsoureki without freezing them. Sliced thinly and baked in the oven, these dried out pieces of paximadia are perfect for munching and dipping into coffee. You can even dip them partially into some chocolate as I did if you want your paximadia to have an extra bit of sweetness. Learn how to make Tsoureki Paximadia or Tsoureki Biscotti.

Tsoureki French Toast

A classic! Everyone loves French toast, and anyone who has tried making this breakfast favourite with leftover tsoureki loves it! A super simple way to make the first meal of the day something worth getting up for! I love to top tsoureki French toast with fresh strawberries and pure Quebec maple syrup. How do you like to dress yours up? Check out Tsoureki French Toast here.

Banana and chocolate tsoureki French toast

This is a twist to the classic tsoureki French toast, and it is decadent! The combination of chocolate and banana is always a winner (have you tried this chocolate chip banana bread ?). In this recipe we use a chocolate hazelnut spread and sliced bananas to make a sandwich that we then turn into French toast. Like honestly, every day should start this way! Be sure to make Banana and chocolate tsoureki french toast.

Tsoureki and feta grilled cheese

A Mia Kouppa trademark recipe!! I still can’t believe how viral this recipe has gone, and I am so proud to have created it!! Guys, if you have not yet made tsoureki and feta grilled cheese…what are you waiting for?! If you are wondering what to make with leftover tsoureki, and only have a little bit to experiment with, make this recipe. The combination of sweet, salty, soft and crunchy is unbelievable. I always keep one of my tsourekia aside to make tsoureki and feta grilled cheese – I can’t wait! See how easy it is to make Tsoureki and feta grilled cheese.

Tsoureki bread pudding

This is a lovely recipe that makes a bread pudding that is unique and delicious. Serve it for brunch, for lunch or even for dessert. Everyone loves a bread pudding and this one is loaded with the flavours of the tsoureki and is topped with a rich sauce that has a special little kick to it! Check out the Tsoureki bread pudding recipe.

Tsoureki, Greek Easter bread ham and cheese sandwich

Make a simple ham and cheese sandwich, (or jambon kai tyri sandwich as we say in Greek) using tsoureki, Greek Easter bread rolls. In less than five minutes you will have the perfect snack or light meal using deli ham and sliced cheese. If you don’t have tsoureki rolls or buns, don”t worry – you can make this simple and delicious tsoureki ham and cheese sandwich with two slices of tsoureki from a traditional loaf.

Tsoureki French toast sandwich with cream cheese and jam

This is a quick and easy way to get the best of both worlds – a combination of French toast and grilled cheese. This sandwich is filled with cream cheese and jam, it is dipped in egg, fried in butter and then coated with cinnamon sugar. Honestly, I cannot express enough how delicious it is. Check out the tsoureki French toast sandwich with cream cheese and jam recipe.

Tsoureki inspired shortbread

This recipe is actually not about leftover tsoureki, but it is about leftover mahlepi and mastiha – two of the special ingredients in tsoureki! I use them both to make tsoureki flavoured shortbread cookies; this is a great recipe that makes sure that any leftover of these special ingredients does not go to waste. Try them with your afternoon coffee and enjoy! You can find the recipe here.

Thanks for sharing!