Italian Easter Bread Recipe
This is a very basic version of Italian Easter Bread. The dough can be endlessly varied with your choice of dried fruit and citrus zests. Some common toppings are pearl sugar, nonpareils and sweet milk glaze .
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Calories: 200kcal
Servings: 6 people
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixer (optional)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat
- Pastry Brush
- Oven
- Cooling Rack
- Easter Eggs (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups milk or half and half
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- Pinch of salt about 1/16 teaspoon
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 4 cups bread flour approximate
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon water
- Rainbow nonpareils
- 6 raw eggs room temperature dyed in rainbow colors
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Warm milk and mix with yeast and a bit of sugar. Let it sit until foamy.
- Prepare Dough: Combine flour, sugar, salt, and flavorings in a mixing bowl. Add yeast mixture, softened butter, and eggs. Knead until smooth.
- First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Shape Loaves: Divide dough and shape into desired forms, like braids or wreaths. Nestle dyed Easter eggs into the dough.
- Second Rise: Let shaped loaves rise again until they puff up, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat Oven: Meanwhile, preheat the oven to the specified temperature.
- Egg Wash: Brush risen loaves with egg wash for a shiny finish.
- Bake: Place loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool: Transfer baked bread to a cooling rack and let it cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
For a simple milk glaze, mix 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of milk. Whisk together until smooth. A little vanilla extract couldn’t hurt, either. After the dough is raised and turned out onto a work surface, 1/2 cup mixed candied fruit and 1/4 cup blanched almonds can be mixed in. 2 tablespoons of citrus zest may be added to the dough also.
Nutrition
Calories: 200kcal