Easter Bread Recipe
There’s something magical about the aroma of freshly baked Easter bread wafting through your home—it’s a moment steeped in tradition and joy. This delightful bread, often braided and adorned with colorful eggs, is not just a treat for the taste buds; it’s a feast for the senses. Each bite of this soft, sweet bread evokes nostalgia and warmth, making it a wonderful centerpiece for your Easter celebrations. The golden crust, fluffy interior, and vibrant decorations make it a kid-friendly activity that the whole family can enjoy. It’s worth making for its rich flavors and the warmth it brings to your gatherings.
Craving a Slice of Tradition?
Do you remember the first time you experienced the bliss of homemade bread? The heavenly scent that fills your kitchen and the comforting taste that wraps around your heart like a warm hug. As holidays approach, who wouldn’t want to indulge in a delightful Easter bread that not only satisfies your cravings but also brings everyone together? Picture yourself slicing into that golden-brown bread, its interior soft and sweet, topped with a glossy glaze and colorful sprinkles. Can you feel the joy already?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Family Fun: Kneading, braiding, and decorating the bread are engaging activities for both kids and adults.
Tradition Meets Flavor: This recipe connects you to age-old traditions while introducing a new, delicious flavor to your holiday table.
Fast and Simple: With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll be on your way to a festive treat in no time.
Visual Delight: The vibrant colors of the dyed eggs and sprinkles make for an Instagram-worthy centerpiece!
Ingredients
To whip up this indulgent Easter bread, gather the following ingredients that promise to make your creation a sensory delight:
Active Dry Yeast: The magic ingredient that helps your bread rise and gives it that pillowy texture.
Warm Water: Essential for activating the yeast, creating a cozy environment for your bread to thrive.
Warm Milk: Adds richness and moisture, ensuring every bite is fluffy and tender.
Sugar: The sweet spark that elevates the bread and enhances its flavor profile.
Melted Butter: For that luscious, buttery richness that brings everything together.
Eggs: They not only act as binders but also impart a beautiful color and flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the bread, providing structure and harmony to all flavors.
Salt: Enhances flavor, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
Powdered Sugar: The star of your glaze, adding that final touch of sweetness.
Milk (for the glaze): Helps to create a smooth, pourable glaze that coats the bread beautifully.
Colorful Sprinkles: Because what’s an Easter bread without a festive burst of color?
Dyed Eggs: Traditional embellishments that not only look beautiful but symbolize new life and celebration.
Timing
This Easter bread offers the perfect balance of fast indulgence and luxurious pleasure. While it requires some rising time, the actual hands-on preparation is simple and quick. Allow yourself to savor the process, knowing that in just a couple of hours, a soft and sweet loaf will emerge, ready to be shared and enjoyed.
Step-by-Step
Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Let it stand for about 5-10 minutes until foamy. This bubbly mixture will be the foundation of your fluffy bread.
Make Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the activated yeast mixture with warm milk, sugar, melted butter, and eggs. Gradually add all-purpose flour and salt, mixing until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Cover it and let it rise until doubled in size, approximately 1-2 hours.
Braid Dough: Once risen, punch the dough down and divide it into three equal portions. Roll each portion into long ropes and braid them together. Pinch the ends to secure, creating a beautiful braid that will impress your loved ones. Place it on a baking sheet, and nestle the colored eggs along the braid.
Second Rise and Bake: Allow the braided dough to rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffed. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Brush the topped braid with an egg wash for that beautiful golden crust, then bake for 28-32 minutes or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
Glaze and Decorate: As the bread cools completely, whisk together powdered sugar and milk. Drizzle the sweet glaze over the bread and finish it off with a sprinkle of colorful sprinkles, drawing smiles from everyone who sees it.
Nutritional Information
One serving of this heavenly Easter bread, while indulgent, can contain approximately 200-250 calories. It’s a treat best savored on special occasions, a sweet reminder that life is all about celebrating delicious moments—guilt-free!
Healthier Alternatives
Looking to lighten things up a bit while still enjoying the festive bread? Consider these healthier alternatives:
Low-Sugar Options: Substitute sugar with a natural sweetener such as honey or maple syrup.
Dairy-Free Swaps: Use almond milk or coconut milk in place of regular milk, and vegan butter for a delightful dairy-free experience.
Serving Suggestions
This Easter bread is perfect on its own, but imagine enjoying it warm alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or even toasted with a spread of cream cheese. It’s versatile enough to make an appearance not only on holidays but throughout springtime celebrations!
Common Mistakes
Avoid these pitfalls to ensure a successful baking experience:
Overbaking: Keep an eye on the bread; it should be golden brown but still moist inside.
Texture Issues: Ensure accurate measuring of ingredients, especially flour. Too much can lead to a dry bread.
Messes: Use a large bowl for rising dough to accommodate expansion, preventing any flour explosions!
Storing Tips
Once you’ve made this delicious Easter bread, you may want to save some for later. Here’s how to store it properly:
Freezing Portions: Slice the bread into pieces and wrap them in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
Reheating Instructions: Thaw at room temperature or reheat in the oven at a low temperature until warmed through for the best texture and flavor.
Tempted to Bake?
With its gorgeous braid, sweet glaze, and vibrant decorations, this Easter bread is not just a recipe; it’s a heartfelt way to create memories and traditions with your loved ones. Whip up this delightful bread and let the scent of sweet nostalgia fill your home. Your family will thank you, and you’ll wonder why you waited so long to make it!
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes! You can substitute instant yeast directly without needing to activate it.How long does the bread stay fresh?
The bread is best enjoyed fresh but can stay fresh at room temperature for up to three days.Can I add other fillings to the bread?
Absolutely! Consider using chocolate chips, dried fruits, or nuts for an exciting twist.What should I do if my dough doesn’t rise?
Ensure that your yeast is fresh and that your liquids are at the right temperature—too hot can kill the yeast.Can this bread be made ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time, refrigerate it, and bake it the following day.
Now, gather your ingredients, and let’s bring a touch of sweetness to your Easter celebrations! Happy baking!
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Easter Bread
- Total Time: 120
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful, sweet bread traditionally braided and adorned with colorful eggs, perfect for Easter celebrations.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 3 eggs
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (for glaze)
- Colorful sprinkles
- Dyed eggs
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Let it stand for about 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Make Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the activated yeast mixture with warm milk, sugar, melted butter, and eggs. Gradually add all-purpose flour and salt, mixing until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Cover it and let it rise until doubled in size, approximately 1-2 hours.
- Braid Dough: Once risen, punch the dough down and divide it into three equal portions. Roll each portion into long ropes and braid them together. Pinch the ends to secure and place it on a baking sheet, nestling the colored eggs along the braid.
- Second Rise and Bake: Allow the braided dough to rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffed. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Brush with an egg wash and bake for 28-32 minutes or until golden brown.
- Glaze and Decorate: Once cooled, whisk together powdered sugar and milk for a glaze. Drizzle over the bread and add colorful sprinkles.
Notes
Enjoy warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cream cheese. The bread can be frozen for up to three months and reheated for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
