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+ servings

Traditional Easter Bread

210kcal
Prep 2 hours
Cook 30 minutes
Total 2 hours 30 minutes
A sweet, braided bread traditionally made for Easter celebrations, featuring a rich dough flavored with citrus and adorned with colorful eggs.
Servings 12 servings
Course Bread, Dessert
Cuisine Italian

Ingredients

For the Dough
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour sifted
  • 1 cup whole milk warm (about 110°F)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar divided
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast or instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest freshly grated
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest freshly grated
  • 4 large colored eggs for decoration
For the Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
  • 2 tablespoons milk adjust for consistency
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

Prepare the Dough
  1. In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until foamy. This step activates the yeast, ensuring your bread rises properly.
  2. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine the flour, remaining sugar, salt, orange zest, and lemon zest. Mix well to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
  3. Add the melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and the activated yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together.
  4. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes on medium speed, or until it is smooth and elastic. If kneading by hand, turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for the same amount of time.
  5. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Shape the Bread
  1. Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into three equal pieces.
  2. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 12-14 inches long. Braid the three ropes together, pinching the ends to seal.
  3. Place the braided dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently press the colored eggs into the braid, spacing them evenly.
  4. Cover the bread with a towel and let it rise again for about 30 minutes, until puffy.
Bake the Bread
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. An internal temperature of 190°F (88°C) indicates it’s done.
  3. Remove from the oven and let it cool on a cooling rack.
Prepare the Glaze
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the milk to achieve your desired glaze consistency.
  2. Once the bread has cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top for added sweetness and shine.

Nutrition

Serving1sliceCalories210kcalCarbohydrates32gProtein4gFat8gSaturated Fat5gPolyunsaturated Fat0.5gMonounsaturated Fat2gCholesterol40mgSodium150mgPotassium80mgFiber1gSugar8gVitamin A300IUCalcium40mgIron1mg

Notes

This bread is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage. To reheat, wrap in foil and warm in the oven.

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