Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

italian anise easter bread

(4 ratings)
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Mary Silva
Chappaqua, NY

This recipe is from my dear Aunt who is 95 years old. She used to make about 40 loaves. Then every Easter morning would personally deliver them to everyone in the family before Church. This is great out of the oven or toasted with butter.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Subtlety sweet... tastes like Easter!

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(4 ratings)
yield serving(s)
prep time 20 Min
cook time 40 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For italian anise easter bread

  • 2 pkg
    active dry yeast
  • 1/2 c
    warm water
  • 1/2 c
    warm milk
  • 1 c
    softened butter
  • 4
    eggs
  • 3/4 c
    sugar
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp
    whole anise seeds
  • 6-7 c
    all purpose flour
  • 1
    egg for wash

How To Make italian anise easter bread

  • 1
    In a large bowl dissolve yeast in water, let bubble.
  • 2
    Then blend all other ingredients in yeast water mixture, gradually add in flour.
  • 3
    Knead dough 5-10 minutes. Spray a large bowl with cooking spray and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for 5 hours.
  • 4
    Punch down after first rise, shape and place in greased loaf pans. Cover again with plastic wrap and let rise 2 more hours.
  • 5
    Mix one egg with 1 tablespoon of milk or water and brush tops of loaves. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.
  • 6
    NOTE: If you have time, you can let this rise overnight, punch dough down and shape, put in pan and let rise 3 more hours, then bake.
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