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Easter Bread – A Beautiful & Delicious Tradition


  • Author: Jessica Parker

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¼ cup butter
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided (2 cups + 2 cups)
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 2¼ teaspoons rapid rise instant yeast (1 packet)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Egg Wash:

  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon milk

Decorations:

  • Dyed Easter eggs (uncooked – NOT hardboiled)
  • Colorful sprinkles

Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and citrus zest. Stir and set aside.

2️⃣ Warm the Milk & Butter: Heat the milk and butter in the microwave in 10-second intervals until warm (not hot).

3️⃣ Mix the Dough: Add the eggs, vanilla, and warm milk mixture to the dry ingredients. Use a stand mixer with a dough hook to mix for about 1 minute. Slowly add the remaining 2 cups of flour and knead for 8 minutes until smooth.

4️⃣ Rest & Shape: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, knead by hand a few times, and form into a ball. Let it rest in a covered bowl for 15 minutes.

5️⃣ Braid the Rings: Divide the dough into 8 pieces and roll into 11-inch ropes. Twist two ropes together and form a ring, pinching the ends.

6️⃣ Rise: Place the rings on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let them rise in a warm place for 30 minutes to 1 hour until doubled in size.

7️⃣ Preheat Oven: Set to 375°F.

8️⃣ Egg Wash & Decorate: Beat 1 egg with 1 teaspoon of milk. Brush the risen dough with the egg wash, nestle a dyed raw Easter egg in the center, and add sprinkles.

9️⃣ Bake: Bake for 20 minutes, rotating halfway for even baking. Let cool on a rack and enjoy warm!