Are you looking for the perfect Easter recipe to wow your family and friends this holiday? This Italian Easter Bread Recipe is made with a delicious soft, fluffy brioche-style dough.
Not only does it taste amazing but it also looks stunning with its festive array of brightly colored eggs nestled inside. With just a few simple steps, you'll soon be on your way to creating an unforgettable Easter tradition!
Check out all the other Easter Bread Recipes for even more deliciousness!
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This classic recipe takes some time and love from start to finish, but when all is said and done you'll have an incredibly flavorful result that will leave lasting memories for everyone involved.
If you're looking for a shortcut version of this recipe using frozen bread dough, check out my Individual Easter Bread Rings. Especially if you find yourself a little too busy to make a homemade bread recipe, so this is a nice alternative.
Or maybe the thought of working with a yeast dough is intimidating? Try my Bread Machine Easter Bread recipe that uses the bread machine to make and rise the dough.
Table of Contents
- What does Italian Easter Bread symbolize?
- 🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Recipe Ingredients
- Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Allow the Dough to Rise
- How to Braid the Dough
- Important Tip
- Baking Instructions
- Before You Begin!
- Storage Tips
- Recipe FAQ
- More Recipes to Love
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
What does Italian Easter Bread symbolize?
Do you have a family tradition for Easter? Easter Breads are festive and makes such a pretty presentation. It also makes a lovely gift to bring to the hostess for Easter Sunday dinner.
There are a few different ways to prepare Italian Easter Bread. One is in the shape of a wreath to symbolize the crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ when he was crucified.
The other is to braid the dough to represent the Holy Trinity. Some breads have eggs and some don't. The eggs symbolize "rebirth" which in turn symbolizes Christ rising from the dead.
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
Fleischmann's Active Dry YeastMore InformationStainless Steel ScrapperMore InformationLarge Silicone Pastry MatMore InformationWood French Rolling PinMore Information
Recipe Ingredients
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- This bread dough recipe is delicious any time of year. You don't have to use it only for Easter bread.
- Once the dough has risen, you can form it any way you'd like as well. You can divide the dough into smaller loaves or make individual braided rings.
- My grandmother's recipe is very similar to this Easy Egg Bread Recipe.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the heated milk with the package of dry yeast and 2 tablespoon sugar. Set aside until the mixture is foamy.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl with the dough hook attached, add 4 cups of the flour. Then add the eggs.
Step 3: Slowly add the melted butter and combine.
Step 4: Next, add the sugar.
Step 5: Then add in the salt, lemon zest and almond extract.
Step 6: Once the yeast mixture has "proofed" add it to the mixing bowl as well and begin to combine everything together. If the dough becomes too sticky or wet, add more of the remaining flour.
Step 7: As soon as the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl and come together, set your kitchen timer for 8 minutes and let the machine "knead" the dough for you.
Allow the Dough to Rise
Step 8: Remove the dough from the mixing bowl to a floured surfaced and knead by hand for a minute.
Step 9: Place the dough in a bowl with a little oil. Cover and let rise until doubled in size.
How to Braid the Dough
Step 10: After the dough has risen once, remove it from the bowl onto a floured surface. Work the dough into two long strips or ropes and begin to braid.
Step 11: And yes, I know technically this is not a braid. If you want you can make three long strips and then make a traditional braid like I do with my Bread Machine Italian Easter Bread.
Important Tip
It's important that you use RAW colored eggs with this recipe. The eggs will cook in the oven while the bread bakes. If you use hard-boiled eggs, they might explode in the oven while the bread bakes.
Baking Instructions
Step 12: Tuck the ends of the braids together and then add aluminum foil place holders for the eggs. This step is not necessary, but I like to do it so the dough doesn't rise up around the eggs. Cover with plastic wrap loosely and allow the bread to double in size.
Step 13: Insert the RAW colored eggs into sections of the braided dough. Don't worry, the eggs will cook in the oven as the bread bakes. Brush with the egg wash and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 20 minutes or until the bread is golden brown.
Before You Begin!
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Storage Tips
- Wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap or store in a paper bag to keep it from drying out.
- You can also place the bread inside an airtight container or zip-top bag and store at room temperature for up to two days.
- For longer storage, place in the refrigerator or freezer.
Recipe FAQ
To view the answer, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!
Easter bread is a type of sweet egg bread traditionally made around the Easter holiday. It is usually made with flour, eggs, butter, milk, sugar, and yeast. Some recipes may also include fruits or nuts such as raisins or almonds. The dough is given time to rise before it is shaped into a loaf or braid with pastel colored eggs and baked until golden brown.
More Recipes to Love
Let’s Do Brunch Easter Spring Celebration Printable eBookClick HERE to SAVE!
📖 Recipe Card
Italian Easter Bread
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk 105 - 115°F
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 5 cups flour; more if needed
- 1 cup butter melted COOLED butter
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- Easter Egg Coloring Kit
- 3-4 raw eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon of water
Method
- In a small bowl, combine the heated milk with the package of dry yeast and 2 tbsp. sugar. Set aside until the mixture is foamy.
- In a mixing bowl with the dough hook attached, add 4 cups of the flour along with the remaining ingredients.
- Once the yeast mixture has "proofed" add it to the mixing bowl as well and begin to combine everything together.
- If the dough becomes too sticky or wet, add more of the remaining flour.
- Once the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl and come together, set your kitchen timer for 8 minutes and let the machine "knead" the dough for you.
- Remove the dough from the mixing bowl to a floured surfaced and knead by hand for a few minutes.
- Place the dough in another clean mixing bowl that has a little bit of oil rubbed over the entire bowl.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel...set aside to rise until doubled in size.
- While the dough is rising, dye 3 eggs...keeping them RAW.
- After the dough has doubled, punch it down and transfer to a floured surface.
- Divide the dough into two balls and slowly work them into long ropes.
- Braid the two ropes into one loaf and place on a baking tray that is lined with parchment paper.
- Insert the RAW colored eggs into sections of the braided loaf of bread.
- Cover with plastic wrap and set aside to double again.
- Make the egg wash using the yolk and 1 tablespoon of water.
- Carefully brush the bread with the egg wash.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until the bread is golden brown.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2014 with new photos and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Ann says
Mrsann1991@gmail
Rose says
Hello, and thanks for sharing your wonderful recipe for Easter bread, my Italian Moma has been making our version for years, our family tradition... I used Gluten free flour, so it looks and rolls differently, although I had a great time making it , turned out tasty not sweet and really moist too!
Lois says
Glad you were able to adapt your family's recipe with gluten free flour. Thanks for visiting!
Christina Campitiello says
Tried this recipe and it is delicious !
I even got Request’s from my family to make it again -
Thank you for sharing this recipe 💕
Lois says
I'm so happy to hear you all enjoyed the recipe. Thank you coming back to let me know.
Linda says
I was wondering if you can make the dough and put it together the day before and just put it in the oven Easter Day.
Lois says
I have never tried that! But the bread stays fresh for a few days. I usually bake this bread the day before Easter and serve it with our breakfast and then have it out when my family comes for dinner later in the day. It always tastes delicious and it's even better a few days later toasted! Thank you for visiting.
Bonnie Taylor says
The traditional Italian Easter Bread is shaped in a ring with 5 colored raw eggs. The ring represents the crown of thorns and the eggs represent the five wounds of the crucified Christ. It is a delicious holiday treat with a religious meaning.
Lois says
I never knew that! Thank you for the information.