Easy Italian Easter Bread Recipe
Bake delightful Italian Easter Bread with this easy recipe tested in my Texas kitchen Familyapproved and perfect for gatherings Get the recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of milk
- ½ cup of granulated sugar
- ¼ cup of unsalted butter
- 3 large eggs
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ tsp)
- Zest of 1 orange
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- Colored Easter eggs (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the milk in a small saucepan until lukewarm, then add the yeast to bloom.
- Combine warm milk with sugar and yeast, and let sit for 5–10 minutes until bubbly.
- Mix in melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and citrus zests.
- Gradually add flour and salt, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for about an hour until doubled in size.
- Punch down, divide into three portions, and roll each into long strands.
- Braid the strands together and place on a prepared baking sheet.
- If using colored eggs, nestle them in the braid before the second rise.
- Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes, then preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
- Brush with sugar water glaze while still warm for a shiny finish.
Notes
Italian Easter Bread is a vibrant, braided loaf adorned with colorful Easter eggs, capturing the spirit of the holiday through its soft, chewy texture and sweet, citrusy flavor.
Find it online: https://familiesrecipes.com/italian-easter-bread/