Italian Easter Bread
Italian Easter bread is a traditional bread that celebrates spring, renewal, and the resurrection. The loaves are irresistibly fluffy and soft, with a texture reminiscent of Challah.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk lukewarm
- 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 lemon zest of
- 1 orange zest of
Decoration
- 4 dyed eggs uncooked
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Multicolored nonpareils or sprinkles
Instructions
First Steps
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, dissolve the yeast in the milk and let stand until it begins to foam, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the sugar, eggs, and flour, and stir with a rubber spatula to combine.1 cup whole milk, 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 large eggs
Make the Dough
- To the sponge, add the flour, sugar, butter, salt, vanilla, and zest. Fit the mixer with the dough hook and mix until the dough comes together into a rough ball.
Rising and Shaping
- Cover the bowl and let it rise for 1 1/2 hours. Punch down and divide into 8 portions, then shape into wreaths.
- Let it rise again and prepare the oven to 400°F.
Baking
- Nestle a dyed egg in each loaf, apply egg wash, and sprinkle with nonpareils. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before serving.
Notes
Italian Easter bread is a traditional bread that celebrates spring. The loaves are irresistibly fluffy.
The texture is reminiscent of Challah.