Politiki vasilopita

Sift the flour

Dissolve the yeast in 2 tbsp of tepid milk and 2 tbsp of sugar.

Add a cup of flour

Cover the mixture and let it rise for 2 hours.

Beat the sugar and the eggs over a bain marie (double boiler).

Heat the butter slightly (until lukewarm)

Place the mixture of eggs, yeast, half the quantity of butter, mahlab and mastic in a bowl.

Add gradually the rest of the flour while stirring and buttering your hands until all the butter is blended in the mixture.

Cover and leave it to rise for 6 hours in a warm place.

Re-knead the mixture, place it in a greased round baking pan, dress it with almonds, spread the beaten egg yolk on top and bake in a preheated oven at 170˚C for approx. 40 min.