Vanilla Orange Braided Easter Bread
A festive and comforting vanilla orange bread, beautifully braided for special occasions, offering a soft, buttery crumb with bright citrus notes.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour Measure by spooning it into the cup and leveling the top.
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 packet active dry yeast Active yeast should be foamy after combining with warm milk.
- 1 cup warm milk Should feel like warm bath water, not hot.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter Melted butter, preferably real for best flavor.
- 3 large eggs Room temperature for smoother mixing.
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 zest orange Zest right before you start for best flavor.
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water For egg wash.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a bowl, combine warm milk and yeast; let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest to the yeast mixture; mix until smooth.
- Slowly incorporate dry ingredients until dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth.
- Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide into three equal parts.
- Roll each part into a long rope and braid them together.
Baking
- Place the braided dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Tuck the ends under slightly.
- Let rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brush with egg wash and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
The bread pairs beautifully with butter, jam, or vanilla ice cream. For presentation, dust with powdered sugar, add orange slices, or garnish with fresh mint.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 4gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8g
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