Tsoureki (brioche) filled with chestnut and white chocolate coating

INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION

In a saucepan, add the chestnuts, sugar, milk and vanilla.
Simmer for 20 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Then, put the mixture in a blender and purée.
Set the filling aside.
Preheat the oven to 160°C.
In a mixer's bowl, add half of the sugar, the yeast, the orange zest, the milk and mix with the whisk attachment for 2 minutes.
Leave to stand for 10 minutes for the yeast to activate.
Then, in a blender, add the rest of the sugar along with the mahleb, mastic and cardamom and blend until completely dissolved.
Add the flour and sugar mixture to the mixer's bowl and knead with the hook attachment on high speed for 3-4 minutes.
Then add the eggs and knead for 2-3 minutes.\
Lower the mixer speed and slowly add the salt and butter in cubes, increase the speed and knead for 10-15 minutes, until you have a chewy dough.

EXECUTION

Lightly grease a bowl, place the dough in it, cover with a towel and let it double in size for 1 hour.
Once the dough is ready, take half of the dough, divide it into 4 equal pieces and start to shape each piece into 15cm long strips.
Press the centre of each strip with your hands, making a dimple, spread 4-5 tablespoons of the filling and roll it to seal the filling into the dough.
Then, join the top edges of the 4 strips, create a braid pattern by closing the bottom edges and place it in a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
Repeat the same process for the other half of the dough.
Then, cover the brioches with a towel and let them rise for another 30-40 minutes.
Once risen, brush the brioches with 2 egg yolks diluted in water.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Once the brioches are baked, transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool for 30 minutes.
To make the coating, add the cream and orange zest in a small saucepan and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
Finely chop the white chocolate.
Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the white chocolate and mix.
Place the wire rack with the brioches over a baking tray, pour the melted white chocolate over them and set aside for 10-15 minutes.
Cut into slices and enjoy!