This humble bread carries centuries of tradition, symbolizing faith, community, and love.

It’s prepared with simple ingredients—flour, water, yeast, and salt—but made with care and prayer.

Every loaf holds a special seal, IC XC NIKA, meaning “Jesus Christ Conquers,” connecting us to something deeper than just bread.

Crockery & ingredients I love using—find them all here: My Mediterranean Greek Pantry

500gr all-purpose flour (you can substitute with bread flour)

1 packet (7 g) active dry yeast1

1½ cups warm water (about 110°F/43°C)

1 teaspoon salt

For the Seal:A wooden prosforo seal (sfragida)

Directions

In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in ½ cup of the warm water. Let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until foamy.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and the remaining warm water gradually, stirring to form a sticky dough.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.

First RisePlace the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours until doubled in size.

Divide the Dough
Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into two pieces—one slightly larger than the other.

Shape both pieces into smooth balls. Place the larger piece on a lightly floured baking sheet or pan. Flatten it slightly with your hands.

Place the smaller piece on top and gently press down, centering it well.

Dust the top lightly with flour and firmly press the wooden seal into the top of the loaf to make the traditional impression.

Cover the loaf with a cloth and let it rise again for about 30-45 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the prosforo for about 45-50 minutes, or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.Cool
Allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before use.

Notes:

The bread is usually prepared prayerfully, often accompanied by short prayers or blessings.

The top of the bread features the seal with the “IC XC NIKA” (Jesus Christ Conquers) imprint for the Divine Liturgy.

Some recipes use a double loaf (one on top of the other) to symbolize the dual nature of Christ.