Traditional Healthier Greek Easter Lazarus Bread (Lazarakia Bread)

Lazarakia are traditional sweet Easter breads made in Greece and Cyprus. They are normally eaten on Lazarus Saturday, and they symbolize the miracle when Lazarus was raised from the dead. They are shaped like a man wrapped in a shroud.

The dough is vegan, sweet and aromatic. The combination of warm spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg takes these buns into the next level.

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Traditional Healthier Greek Easter Lazarus Bread (Lazarakia Bread)

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Active Time30 minutes mins

Rest Time30 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Greek

Yield: 12 buns

Calories: 195kcal

Author: Maria

Materials

• 2 cup Whole-wheat flour
• 100 g Lukewarm water
• ¼ cup Canola oil
• ½ cup Brown sugar
• 1 tsp Yeast
• 2 tsp Cinnamon ground
• ¼ tsp Cloves ground
• ⅛ tsp Nutmeg ground
• ⅛ tsp Salt
• ½ cup Raisins
• ½ cup Walnuts
• 36 Whole cloves

Instructions

• Prepare your ingredients.
  
• In a bowl, add the lukewarm water, sugar and yeast. Mix well.

  Set aside for 10 minutes.
  
• Meanwhile in the stand mixer bowl, add the flour, spices, salt, and oil.

  Then add in the yeast mixture.
  
• Knead the dough until smooth using a dough hook.
  
• Shape the dough into a ball. Cover the bowl with a towel, and leave in a warm place for 30minutes.

  To prepare the filling, i a grinder, add the raisins and walnuts. Grind until finely chopped.
• Preheat the oven to 180°C

  Divide the dough into 8 balls. Save a part of each ball to create the arms.

  Take a ball, add 1tsp of the filling inside, and seal.
  
• Shape the ball into an oblong shape to create the body.
  
• Roll the saved part of the dough into a string to make the arms.
  
• Crisscross the arms over the body.

  Insert 3 whole cloves above the arms to create the eyes and mouth.
  
• Place the buns on a baking sheet and add into the preheated oven, for 30minutes until golden.
  
• Serve and enjoy!