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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 cups bread flour, divided
- 1 (0.25oz) package (7g) or 2 1/4 teaspoons Red Star Active Dry Yeast
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel or crushed anise seed
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (cold, cut in small pieces)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
Topping
- Egg wash: 1 egg plus 1 teaspoon water (beaten together)
- 4 large colored eggs (uncooked)
- 2 teaspoons colored confetti sprinkles
Instructions
- In stand mixer bowl, add 1 cup flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and lemon peel or anise seeds; mix well. In saucepan or microwave-safe dish, heat milk to 120-130°F. Add milk and butter to flour mixture. Using a paddle attachment, blend on low speed for 30 seconds; beat on medium speed for 4 minutes. Add eggs; beat 1 minute.
- Switch to dough hook attachment. Gradually stir in enough remaining flour to make a firm dough. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 to 7 minutes.(NOTE: For hand mixing: following above steps, mix ingredients in large mixing bowl using a wooden spoon or dough whisk. Knead on floured surface until smooth and elastic.)
- Place dough in lightly oiled bowl and turn to grease top. Cover; let rise until indentation remains after poking dough with finger down to second knuckle, about 1 hour.
- 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 Bread Machine Method here.
Review & Comments
Monica | •
This is so easy compared to my Italian grandmother’s recipe! I added a teaspoon of anise flavoring and it tastes just like hers. I made 2 test breads and it turned out perfect each time! Thanks for the chance to make Easter bread with the machine mixing the dough.
Alma @ EasterTreats | •
What an excellent bread! I need to find time to make this beautiful breads before Easter. It will be a perfect breakfast for me. thanks for sharing this!