Cypriot Flaounes Recipe (Cheese Filled Easter Bread)

Want to try my authentic Cypriot flaounes recipe? You know me, I love a snack – and this one is no exception. You’ll love the ultra-rich cheese taste from the Halloumi and your favourite yellow cheese, offset with the sweet little POP from the raisins. 

It’s bloody beautiful, mate; let’s dive in!

Oh, before I get carried away, you’ve got to try my tiropitakia (Greek cheese triangles)!

What are Cypriot flaounes?

Cypriot flaounes are traditional Easter pastries originating from Cyprus. They are typically made during the Easter season and are part of Greek and Cypriot Easter traditions. 

Flaounes are savoury pastries filled with a mixture of various cheeses, herbs, and sometimes other ingredients. The filling is often wrapped in a yeasted dough, which is then shaped into individual pastries and baked until golden brown.

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The key ingredients in flaounes include a combination of cheeses such as halloumi, a semi-hard, brined cheese, and other local cheeses like anari or kefalotyri. 

The cheese mixture is usually seasoned with herbs like mint and spices such as mahlepi and mastica, which impart a unique flavour to the pastries. Flaounes also contain ingredients like eggs, raisins, and semolina in the filling – some people prefer to leave them out. 

Ingredients

Gather these ingredients to make your Greek cheese filled Easter breads:

• Plain flour: Provides the base structure for the bread, contributing to its texture and density.
• Milk: Adds moisture and richness to the dough, resulting in a tender crumb.
• Melted butter: Enhances the flavour and adds richness to the dough.
• Egg: Acts as a binder and contributes to the structure of the bread while also providing richness and colour.
• Greek yogurt: Adds tanginess and moisture to the dough, resulting in a softer texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough and helps with yeast activation.
• Dry active yeast: Leavening agent responsible for the bread's rise and fluffy texture.
• Mastica: A traditional Greek ingredient that lends a unique flavor, reminiscent of pine and cedar. Used ground mastica.
• Mahlepi: Another traditional Greek spice, adding a distinctive taste with hints of cherry and almond. Use ground mahlepi.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavour of the bread and regulates yeast activity.

Filling:

• Halloumi: A semi-hard, brined cheese with a distinctive salty flavour, contributing to the savoury aspect of the bread.
• Yellow cheese: Your favourite yellow cheese with a slightly tangy flavour, contributing to the richness of the filling. Use flaouna cheese if you can get your hands on it!

• Semolina: Adds texture and body to the filling, helping to bind the ingredients together.
• Sugar: Balances the savoury flavours of the cheese and adds a touch of sweetness to the filling.
• Baking powder: Acts as a leavening agent, helping the filling to rise and become light and fluffy.
• Fresh mint: Adds a refreshing flavour and aroma to the filling, complementing the other ingredients.
• Sultanas: Provide natural sweetness and a chewy texture to the filling. Raisins are great, too.

• Eggs: Bind the filling ingredients together and contribute to its richness and texture.
• Topping: Gather sesame seeds and water for the sesame crust. Use egg and milk as the egg wash.

Why you’ll love this Cypriot flaounes recipe

You'll love this Cypriot flaounes recipe for several reasons:

• Super unique flavour profile: The combination of cheeses, herbs, and spices in the filling, such as halloumi, mint, mahlepi, and mastica, creates a flavour profile that is savoury AND super aromatic.
• Great as a gift: Flaounes are made in large batches, making them ideal for sharing with family and friends during Easter gatherings. Wrap them up as and take them to a friends as a gift.
• Cosy aroma: As flaounes bake in the oven, they fill your kitchen with incredible aromas of warm spices and freshly baked bread. 

Top tips for making Greek cheese-filled easter bread

Check out my pro tips for making Greek cheese-filled Easter bread:

• Room temperature ingredients: Make sure that your dairy ingredients like milk, melted butter, and Greek yogurt are at room temperature before incorporating them into the dough. This helps them blend more easily and promotes better yeast activation.
• Kneading technique: Knead the dough thoroughly until it becomes smooth and elastic. This develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a better-textured bread. You can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface.
• Rise time: Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free environment until it doubles in size. This may take around 1-2 hours, depending on the temperature of your kitchen. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. Let him rest!
• Even distribution of filling: When assembling the bread, distribute the cheese filling evenly throughout the dough to ensure that each slice has a consistent amount of filling.
• Sealing the edges: Properly seal the edges of the bread to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking. You can pinch the edges together or fold them over to create a tight seal.
• Egg wash: Before baking, brush the surface of the bread with an egg wash (a mixture of beaten egg and milk). This gives the bread a golden-brown colour and a shiny finish.

Variations of a flaouna

Want to take some twists and turns with this recipe? Here’s what to do:

• Spinach and feta flaouna: Add sautéed spinach and crumbled feta cheese into the filling mixture for a delicious vegetarian twist on the classic flaouna. 
• Sun-dried tomato and olive flaouna: The sweet-tart taste of the sun-dried tomatoes and the brininess of the olives are delicious. 
• Spicy pepper and halloumi flaouna: Combined with the salty halloumi cheese, this adds a kick!
• Mixed herb flaouna: Add fresh and finely chopped herbs, such as parsley, dill, and oregano.
• Sweet flaouna with fig and honey: Mix in chopped dried figs and a drizzle of honey into the cheese filling. 
• Nutty flaouna with pistachios and almonds: The nuts add texture and richness to the pastry.
• Citrus flaouna with orange zest: The orange zest adds a refreshing twist to the traditional pastry.

📖 Recipe