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Traditional Italian Easter Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.3 from 30 reviews

This Traditional Italian Easter Bread is a sweet, braided bread enriched with citrus zest and eggs, decorated with vibrant dyed Easter eggs baked right into the dough. Perfect for celebrating the holiday, it offers a soft, slightly sweet texture with a beautiful golden crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup milk, warmed
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Decorations

  • Dyed Easter eggs for decoration
  • Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water) for brushing

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a small bowl, combine warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy, indicating it is active. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, orange zest, and the yeast mixture. Stir until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
  2. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm environment for 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.
  3. Shape the Bread: After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to remove excess air. Divide the dough into three equal portions. Roll each portion into a long rope. Braid the three ropes together, then shape the braid into a circular form, tucking the ends underneath. Place the shaped braid onto a greased baking sheet.
  4. Decorate with Eggs: Carefully press the dyed Easter eggs evenly spaced into the braids of the dough, ensuring they are secure but not pressing too hard to deflate the dough.
  5. Final Rise: Cover the braided dough loosely with a kitchen towel and let it rise again for 30-45 minutes, allowing it to puff up slightly before baking.
  6. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the entire surface of the dough gently with the egg wash to promote a shiny, golden crust. Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes or until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use room temperature eggs and warmed milk to help activate the yeast effectively.
  • Ensure the dyed eggs are non-toxic and safe for baking or use plastic eggs as a decorative alternative.
  • For a stronger citrus flavor, you can increase the lemon and orange zest to 1.5 teaspoons each.
  • Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
  • This bread freezes well; wrap tightly and thaw at room temperature before serving.

Keywords: Italian Easter bread, braided bread, holiday bread, traditional Easter recipe, citrus bread, festive bread

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/traditional-italian-easter-bread-recipe/