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Bread Machine Italian Easter Bread
This festive holiday bread with an egg in the middle is fun to create with family and makes a beautiful centerpiece for your Easter celebration!
Yield 4 breads
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (cool, cut in small pieces)
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups bread flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel or crushed anise seed
- 1 (0.25oz) package (7g) or 2 1/4 teaspoons Red Star Active Dry Yeast
Topping
- Egg wash: 1 egg plus 1 teaspoon water (beaten together)
- 4 large colored eggs (uncooked)
- 2 teaspoons colored confetti sprinkles
Instructions
- Have all ingredients, except butter, at room temperature. Place ingredients in the pan in the order recommended by manufacturer. Select the dough/manual cycle. At the end of the program, press clear/stop. To punch the dough down, press start and let knead for 60 seconds. Press clear/stop again. Remove the dough and let rest 5 minutes before hand shaping.
- Prepare pans: Grease two cookie sheets; set aside.
- Lightly sprinkle work surface with flour. Divide dough into four equal pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a 12-inch long rope. Wrap each rope around a colored egg. Cross the ends. Pinch together, and cut off any excess dough. Place on prepared pans. Cover with a clean kitchen cloth and let rise until indentation remains after lightly touching the side of the bread, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Brush bread with egg wash taking care not to get any on the eggs. Sprinkle with confetti sprinkles. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until a deep golden brown.
Notes
Get Traditional Bread Making Method here.
Review & Comments
Dorothy | •
I will make this recipe in my bread machine.
What setting would I use for a 2#loaf
Basic
Sweet
I always check your site for ideas
I’ll make the bunnies and also the bread
Red Star Yeast | •
Hi Dorothy- The bread machine will be used to mix, knead and rise (first/bulk) the dough. Use the dough/manual setting on your machine and follow directions as written.
We’re so glad you are enjoying our recipes.
Happy baking!
Carmella Nauyoks | •
I’m a little confused as to how many loaves this recipe will make and whether they are braided or not
Red Star Yeast | •
Hi Carmella,
Sorry for your confusion. If you look at the picture the shape is a ring and it will make 4 rings that will wrap around an egg.
Happy Baking!