Nazook Or Choreg (Armenian Sweet Pastry) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

7 cups flour
2 -3 teaspoons salt
1/2 - 1 teaspoon mahleb (see note)
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar
2 1/4 ounces fast rise yeast
1/2 cup warm water
4 large eggs
sesame seeds, and
nigella seeds, black seeds (to garnish)

Preparation

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt and mahleb.
In a medium saucepan, heat milk until hot. Add butter,
shortening and sugar, and stir until sugar is dissolved.
Remove from heat and set aside.
Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Add a bit of
sugar to activate the yeast. The mixture should become foamy.
Make a well in the center of the flour. Add the eggs and the
milk mixture to the flour.
Pour in the activated yeast. Stir to blend well.
Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until
the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly
sticky, not dry.
Place the dough in a large greased bowl. Pat top of dough with
a bit of oil to prevent sticking to aluminum foil. Cover the
bowl with foil and then a dish towel. Let rise in a warm place
for 2 hours.
Break off a small amount of dough and shape into pretzels or braids.
Put rolls on a baking sheet and allow to rise for 30 minutes. Brush
with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds and/or nigella (black
seeds, see note).
Bake in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.