Italian Easter Bread Recipe

Recipe Rating:	13 Ratings5
Category:	Sweet Breads
Collections:	Easter Treats, Member's Choice
Prep Time:	2 Hr 30 Min
Cook Time:	45 Min

Ingredients

1 pkg	yeast
1/4 c	warm water
1/2 c	butter
1/2 c	sugar
6	egg yolks
1/2 tsp	salt
3/4 c	warm milk
1 tsp	lemon zest, grated
2 tsp	vanilla
4 1/4 c	flour
1 tsp	melted butter
1	egg white, scrambled
6	colored eggs (raw) (3 for each loaf - this is a guess)

Pinched by Holly1150, and 1,783 more.

Joanne Bellezza-Loughlin

Well Seasoned

Bridgewater, NJ (pop. 267,288)

Joannebl

Member Since Feb 2011

Joanne's Notes:

This is my mom's recipe. She got it from her girlfriend, Bernie. Both great cooks. The directions weren't that great so I had to improvise a bit. I'm posting this for Val who requested it. Val, hope you make this and let us know how it turns out. Will definitely be making this for Easter this year!

(See Joanne's Original Version of Recipe)

Comments from the Test Kitchen:

This bread is just pretty as a picture...a festive addition to Easter dinner!

Directions

Sprinkle yeast in warm water to dissolve.

Cream butter and beat in sugar, egg yolks and salt. Then stir in warm milk, lemon zest, vanilla and yeast mixture.

Add 2 cups of the flour and beat for 5 minutes.

Gradually beat in remaining flour, then place dough on floured board and knead.

Place dough in greased bowl and top with a little melted butter. Let rise 1 1/2 to 2 hours, then knead again.

Cut dough into 6 pieces and roll each piece into a rope.

Form 3 ropes into a braid (you will get two loaves).

Nestle colored raw eggs throughout each braid.

Brush top of loaves with egg whites.

Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Comments

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Joanne... Joannebl

Joanne Loughlin [Joannebl] has shared this recipe with discussion group:
holiday recipes

Val Paris gramsgirls

Feb 16, 2011

Thanks so much Joanne! This sounds great, and I think I will try it this weekend. The only thing I do remember is that it works better if, after braiding the bread, make the indentations with the egg and remove before baking. Replace cooked and colored eggs after the bread is baked. This prevents the coloring from coloring the dough. I don't know why I remember the little things like that, but the recipe?-forget it. I really appreciate your help.

Joanne... Joannebl

Feb 16, 2011

My pleasure, Val. Hope it turns out ok. Be sure to let me know.

Joanne... Joannebl

Joanne Bellezza-Loughlin [Joannebl] has shared this recipe with discussion group:
Italian Cooking

Kitchen Crew JustaPinch

I shared a photo of this recipe.

Kitchen Crew JustaPinch

I shared a photo of this recipe.

Helene Mulvihill WeBakeinTX

Mar 9, 2011

This sounds so delicious Joanne!! My wonderful Mother-in-Law used to make Easter Bread too, but yours looks much prettier LOL!!

Patrice Manning ladybug77

Mar 9, 2011

Joanne, Those are beautiful loaves! They remind me of Greek Easter bread except they use all red eggs.
Congratulations on the ribbon!

Joanne... Joannebl

Joanne Bellezza-Loughlin [Joannebl] has shared this recipe with discussion group:
CHATTERBOX

Joanne... Joannebl

Mar 9, 2011

Thanks, Helene and Patrice. I am so excited.

Hey Helene...the reason mine look so good is because the kitchen crew took the picture....but shhhh, don't tell anyone LOL But I will definitely be making this at Easter and will post another pic.