Description
Classic Traditional Italian Easter Bread made with sweet citrus-infused dough, braided into a festive ring and decorated with colorful Easter eggs for a soft, fluffy holiday loaf.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- Dyed Easter eggs
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)
Instructions
- Mix warm milk and yeast and let sit until frothy.
- Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
- Add butter, eggs, vanilla, zests, and yeast mixture and mix to form dough.
- Knead until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled.
- Punch down dough and divide into three equal pieces.
- Roll into ropes, braid together, and form a ring.
- Place on baking sheet and gently press dyed eggs into the braid.
- Cover and let rise again until puffy.
- Brush with egg wash and bake until golden.
Notes
Use lukewarm milk to activate yeast and allow the dough to rise fully for a soft and fluffy texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: traditional italian easter bread recipe, pane di pasqua, easter bread, italian bread