why make this recipe
Italian Easter Bread is a lovely tradition that brings together family and friends during the Easter season. This sweet and soft bread, often braided and decorated with colorful eggs, not only looks beautiful on the table, but it also tastes delicious. Making this bread allows you to share a piece of cultural heritage and create memorable moments while baking. It’s a fun activity with kids as they can help with braiding and decorating, making it a perfect weekend project!
how to make Italian Easter Bread
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups milk (whole preferred)
- 1/3 cup salted butter
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 whole large eggs (at room temperature and slightly beaten)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- Rainbow sprinkles
- 6 raw eggs (room temperature, dyed in rainbow Easter colors of choice; be sure they are completely dried)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon water
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
Directions:
- Combine the milk and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Warm until the butter melts and then remove from heat. Let it cool until just warm, testing with your finger.
- Add the yeast and whisk together. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes or until bubbles form at the top.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk mixture and half of the flour. Knead with the dough hook until combined.
- Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and sugar. Gradually add more flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the mixer. Knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Lightly grease a large bowl with butter or nonstick spray. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat the top. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-3 hours.
- Gently deflate the dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Pat it down to even thickness. Cut the dough into 12 pieces and roll each piece to form a 1-inch thick rope about 14 inches long.
- Take two ropes and twist them together; form a circle and pinch the ends. Place each circle on parchment-lined baking sheets. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 teaspoon of water. Brush the breads with egg wash, sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles, and gently place a dried dyed egg in the center of each loaf.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Let cool and enjoy!
- Optional: Instead of egg wash, top baked breads with a glaze made by mixing powdered sugar and milk. Brush icing on the breads and add more sprinkles. Let set before enjoying!
how to serve Italian Easter Bread
Italian Easter Bread is perfect for serving at brunch or as a festive centerpiece for your Easter celebration. You can slice it and enjoy it plain or with a bit of butter. It pairs well with coffee or tea, making it a delightful treat for family gatherings.
how to store Italian Easter Bread
Store any leftover Italian Easter Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it. To enjoy, simply thaw it at room temperature.
tips to make Italian Easter Bread
- Make sure your milk is warm but not too hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- If you find the dough too sticky, dust your hands and work surface with a little extra flour while kneading.
- For a more intense flavor, consider adding a bit of citrus zest, like lemon or orange, to the dough.
- Be creative with the colors of the eggs; it makes the bread more festive!
variation
You can make variations of Italian Easter Bread by adding different flavors like almond extract instead of vanilla or mixing in dried fruits like raisins or cranberries. You could also decorate the bread with different colored sprinkles or add a lemon glaze instead of the powdered sugar glaze.
FAQs
1. Can I use regular yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, you can use regular yeast, but you’ll need to proof it first in the warm milk before adding it to the dough.
2. Can I dye the eggs with food coloring?
Absolutely! Just make sure the eggs are completely dyed and dried before placing them on the baked bread.
3. How can I tell when the bread is baked?
The bread should be light golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. You can also use a toothpick to check for doneness— it should come out clean.
Italian Easter Bread
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1.25 cups milk (whole preferred) Warm but not hot
- 1/3 cup salted butter Melted
- 2.25 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 whole large eggs At room temperature, slightly beaten
- 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 4.25 cups all-purpose flour Plus more for dusting
Topping Ingredients
- 6 raw eggs dyed in rainbow Easter colors of choice Make sure they are completely dried
- 1 large egg For egg wash
- 1 teaspoon water For egg wash
- 1 cup powdered sugar For optional glaze
- 1-2 tablespoons milk For optional glaze
Instructions
Preparation
- Combine the milk and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until melted. Remove from heat and let cool until just warm.
- Add the yeast and whisk together. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes or until bubbles form.
- In a stand mixer, combine the warm milk mixture and half of the flour. Knead with the dough hook until combined.
- Add eggs, vanilla, and sugar. Gradually add more flour until the dough pulls away from the mixer sides. Knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Grease a large bowl, place the dough in, and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-3 hours.
Shaping
- Gently deflate the dough and place it on a floured surface. Cut into 12 pieces and roll each into a 1-inch thick rope about 14 inches long.
- Take two ropes, twist together, form a circle, and pinch the ends. Place each circle on parchment-lined baking sheets. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, whisk the egg and water together. Brush the breads with egg wash, sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles, and place dried eggs in the center.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Let cool before serving.
- Optional: For a glaze, mix powdered sugar and milk, and brush it over the baked bread.