Happy Greek Easter - The sweetest aroma (like no other) fills the Melissa cafe/bakeries at this special time of year....

A special time of year to visit Melissa Cakes is during Greek Easter, which for the Greek community is the most celebrated event of the calender year. The shop is filled with the sweetest aroma of freshly baked traditional Greek Easter bread, called 'Tsoureki" and the crunchy shortbread easter biscuits 'Koulouria'.

Vibrant red, hand-dyed eggs adorn the traditional 'Tsoureki' which is beautifully braided and sprinkled with golden sesame seeds. The red eggs are said by some to symbolise happiness at the resurrection of Christ. After the Easter Lent period, Tsoureki and Koulouria always grace the Easter table and are shared and enjoyed with great delight during the many festivities.

Melissa has been expertly baking these specialty items with their time honoured and very traditional family recipes since its opening. It is their secret ingredients and methods that result in a Tsoureki and Koulouria unlike any others, which keeps their customers coming back each Easter with great anticipation of these specialties.

Kalo Paska! Happy Easter!!

TYPES

Koulouria

These Greek traditional Easter butter biscuits are usually baked on Easter Thursday. However they are such a firm favourite with our customers that they’re available and baked fresh all year round. Melissa’s secret recipe has been lovingly handed down three generations. Pure European butter, real vanilla, a hint of orange and the goodness of free-range eggs are formed and baked into crisp golden twisted braids.

Kourabiedes

This traditional Greek celebration biscuit is enjoyed as part of Christmas festivities and weddings, they are also known as Almond Crescents.