italian easter bread Recipe
If you’re looking to bring a little sunshine and tradition to your baking, this italian easter bread is an absolute must-try. This beautiful, braided bread is soft, slightly sweet, and infused with warm vanilla and bright lemon zest that lifts every bite. It’s the kind of bread that’s perfect for gathering around the table with loved ones, sharing stories, and celebrating the joy of the season. The optional decorated eggs nestled right into the braid add a whimsical, colorful touch that makes this bread not just a treat for your taste buds, but a feast for the eyes as well.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple, pantry-friendly ingredients come together to create the perfect blend of flavor and texture that defines our italian easter bread. Each component plays a crucial role—from the creamy richness of butter to the fragrant zest of lemon—making this bread stand out without requiring anything complicated.
- 4 cups all-purpose flour: The backbone of the bread, providing structure and a soft crumb.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering.
- 1/2 cup warm milk: Activates the yeast and helps create a tender texture.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted: Brings richness and moisture for a delicate crumb.
- 3 large eggs: Contribute to the bread’s richness and beautiful golden color.
- 1/4 ounce active dry yeast: The essential rising agent that gives the bread its fluffy, airy texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses the bread with a warm, inviting aroma.
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest: Adds a fresh, citrusy brightness that balances the sweetness.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
- 10 decorated eggs (optional): For that traditional and festive look, these eggs nestle into the braid beautifully.
- Food coloring (as needed): To color the decorating eggs and bring vibrant pops of color.
How to Make italian easter bread
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by dissolving your active dry yeast in warm milk. This is the magic moment when the yeast wakes up and gets ready to work its rising powers. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy, signaling it’s alive and kicking.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
Into the same bowl, add your melted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and salt. Mix everything thoroughly to create a fragrant and flavorful base that will carry through the bread’s aroma and taste.
Step 3: Incorporate the Flour
Slowly add in your flour, one cup at a time. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until the mixture turns into a sticky dough. This gradual approach helps in developing the right dough consistency without making it too dry or wet.
Step 4: Knead the Dough
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, and knead it for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Kneading is key to developing the gluten that gives your italian easter bread that perfect chewy texture.
Step 5: First Rise
Shape your dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for around an hour, or until it doubles in size. This rising time allows the yeast to create those lovely air pockets inside the bread.
Step 6: Prepare Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the bread to golden perfection.
Step 7: Form the Braids
After waiting for the dough to rise, punch it down gently to release excess air. Divide it into three equal parts, then roll each into long ropes about 14 inches in length. Braid these ropes together and shape the braid into a circle, sealing the ends well so it holds its shape during baking.
Step 8: Add the Decorative Touches and Final Rise
Place your braided dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. If you’re going festive, gently nestle the decorated eggs into the braid. Cover everything with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes to get nice and fluffy before baking.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Pop your bread in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, watching for that irresistible golden brown color. Your kitchen will soon be filled with the most inviting aroma you can imagine.
Step 10: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing. This step helps to set the crumb and makes slicing much easier. Now, get ready to enjoy a piece of tradition that tastes as wonderful as it looks!
How to Serve italian easter bread
Garnishes
To elevate your italian easter bread even further, consider sprinkling it lightly with powdered sugar or brushing it with a honey glaze for a glossy finish. Fresh edible flowers can add a whimsical, seasonal touch that makes every serving feel special.
Side Dishes
This bread pairs wonderfully with a spread of fresh butter, homemade jam, or ricotta cheese sweetened with a hint of honey. Set it alongside a colorful fruit salad or a creamy cappuccino for a delightful brunch or afternoon treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this bread in the center of your table on a rustic wooden board surrounded by small bowls of dips and dips, or slice it into thick pieces and stack it like a tiered centerpiece. If you used decorated eggs, highlight them by carefully arranging a few more around the bread for an extra festive look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover italian easter bread tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for about 2–3 days, perfect for enjoying multiple meals or snacks without worrying about it drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze this bread to extend its life by wrapping it securely in plastic wrap and then placing it inside a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly baked feeling, reheat slices in a toaster oven or regular oven at 300°F for 5–10 minutes. This refreshes the bread’s soft texture and warms the flavors beautifully without drying it out.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of flour?
All-purpose flour works best for this type of bread because it strikes the right balance of gluten development for a soft yet sturdy crumb. You could experiment with bread flour for a chewier texture, but avoid whole wheat flour as it may alter the lightness of the bread.
Do I have to use real eggs for decoration?
While real, decorated eggs are traditional and add charm, you can use faux eggs or even colorful sugar decorations if you prefer. Just be sure whatever you use is safe if you’re planning to eat around them.
Can I make this bread vegan?
This recipe is traditionally made with eggs and butter, which contribute to its rich texture. To make a vegan version, you could try substituting eggs with flax or chia eggs and using plant-based butter, but results might vary slightly.
How long does the bread stay fresh?
If stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, your italian easter bread should stay fresh for 2 to 3 days. Beyond that, refrigeration or freezing is recommended to maintain quality.
What’s the best way to decorate the eggs?
Boil your eggs until hard-cooked, then use food coloring to dye them for a classic look. You can also try wrapping them in colorful fabric or drawing patterns with markers. Let them dry completely before placing them in the bread braid.
Final Thoughts
Baking italian easter bread is such a joyful way to welcome the season and tradition into your home. It’s a recipe that’s not only simple but bursting with comforting flavors and festive spirit. Whether you bake it for Easter or just to brighten up any day, your kitchen and your heart will be so glad you did. Go ahead, gather your ingredients, and let that wonderful aroma fill your home—you’re in for a treat that’s truly special.
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italian easter bread Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 large braided loaf, serves 8-10 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This traditional Italian Easter Bread is a soft, sweet, and fragrant braided bread flavored with lemon zest and vanilla. It is often decorated with colorful dyed eggs nestled in the braid, making it a festive centerpiece for Easter celebrations. The bread is lightly sweet, enriched with butter and eggs, and perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 ounce active dry yeast (equivalent to 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Decoration (Optional)
- 10 decorated eggs
- Food coloring as needed for decorating eggs
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Combine wet ingredients: To the yeast mixture, add melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and salt. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
- Add flour: Gradually add the flour one cup at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula until a soft dough forms, starting to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it by hand for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not overly sticky.
- First rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it into a greased bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking once the dough has risen.
- Shape the dough: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into three equal portions. Roll each portion into a long rope approximately 14 inches in length.
- Braid and form circle: Braid the three ropes together tightly, then shape the braided dough into a circle by pinching the ends to seal them together.
- Add decorated eggs: Place the braided bread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. If using, gently nestle the decorated eggs into the braid at intervals.
- Second rise: Cover the bread with a kitchen towel and let it rise for an additional 30 minutes to become puffy.
- Bake the bread: Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the braid is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before serving to enhance texture.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is warm but not hot to prevent killing the yeast.
- For a richer flavor, you can brush the bread with an egg wash before baking.
- Decorated eggs can be hard-boiled and dyed with food coloring ahead of time.
- This bread freezes well; wrap tightly and thaw before serving.
- If you prefer a less sweet bread, reduce the sugar slightly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread, Holiday
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of loaf)
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Italian Easter bread, braided bread, festive bread, sweet bread, holiday bread, traditional Italian bread, decorated Easter eggs bread
