Christopsomos

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Prepare the dough for the celebration bread, mixing in the raisins, dried fruit, and walnuts during the final 2 minutes of the mixing in Step 3. Proceed as for the celebration bread, but before shaping the dough into a boule, divide it into 2 pieces, 1 piece twice as big as the other. Shape the larger piece into a boule, as shown on page 72, and proof as described in Steps 5 and 6. Place the smaller piece in a plastic bag and chill in the refrigerator. When the larger piece is ready to bake, remove the smaller piece from the refrigerator, divide it in half, and roll each half into a 10-inch-long strand. Shape the final dough as shown below.

2. Shaping Christopsomos

   Step 2

   Cross the 2 strands of dough over the top of the boule.

3. Step 3

   Using a pastry scraper, split the ends of each strand and coil them to form a decorative cross.