Easter Bread
A sweet, braided bread perfect for holidays and family gatherings, combining a warm, cozy aroma with a delightful taste.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour No fancy flour needed.
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast Make sure it's fresh.
- 1 teaspoon salt Mix quickly with flour.
- 1 cup milk, warmed Use warm, not hot, milk.
- 1/4 cup butter, melted Melt before use.
- 2 large eggs Use room temperature eggs.
Decorative Ingredients
- colored eggs pieces colored eggs (for decoration) One per braid section.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a bowl, mix the warm milk with sugar and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Stir quickly to prevent the salt from sitting near the yeast.
- Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and eggs to the flour. Mix until a loose, shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth, about 6 to 8 minutes. If it sticks, sprinkle a little flour.
Rising
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Once doubled, punch down the dough and divide it into three strands. Braid the strands and place in a greased baking dish.
- Tuck colored eggs into the braid and press them gently into the dough.
- Let it rise for another 30 minutes, covered loosely.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. If the top gets too dark, tent with foil for the last 5 to 10 minutes.
- Allow to cool before serving.
Notes
Perfect for family gatherings and pairs well with toppings like butter or jam. Cool bread completely before storing to prevent sogginess. For variation, consider adding citrus zest or dried fruit.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 5gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5g
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