Homemade Easter bread is one of the oldest holiday traditions for very good reason. If you've never heard of this Easter tradition, allow us to introduce you. A sweetened, yeasted dough incorporates colored eggs baked right into the bread, resulting in a soft and fluffy bread that is just as adorable to look at as it is incredible to eat. Serve it as the perfect festive centerpiece to your Easter brunch, or as a colorful addition to your Easter dessert spread! If you have any leftover dyed eggs (or are looking for a fun baking project to get the kids involved), then this bread is the ideal holiday activity to celebrate every year. Here's everything you need to know:
The Easter bread tradition:
An Italian and Greek tradition, this bread is one of the oldest food traditions when it comes to celebrating Easter. The origins are uncertain, but some say this tradition could have been started as early as the 12th century. The bread varies in its symbolism based on the shape—when baked into a wreath, the bread is supposed to symbolize the crown of thorns. When braided into three long pieces, the dough represents the Holy Trinity. Although the exact origin of the bread is uncertain, one thing is for sure: this bread is an easy, festive addition to any Easter spread.
What is Easter bread made of?
This bread is made from a sweetened, yeasted dough, similar to brioche. It does take some time to rise (around 1 hour), but while you're waiting for it to double is the perfect time to dye your eggs!
How to make the best Easter bread:
— Let is rise until doubled in size. This will most likely take around 1 hr to 1 1/2 hours—make sure to place your dough in a covered, greased bowl in a warm spot for the best rising conditions.
— No need to cook your eggs beforehand. Yes, we're dying raw eggs for this recipe. No stress—the eggs will cook in the oven (no explosions here), and the dye will take perfectly to the raw eggs.
— Punch down your dough! After your dough has doubled in size and before braiding, punch down your dough to expel any excess air.
How to decorate Easter bread:
Never dyed eggs before? This is the most adorable excuse to give it a try. All you need is distilled white vinegar and food coloring to make your colorful eggs. We went with pink and blue for a pastel look, but feel free to choose whatever colors your heart desires. Not a fan of food coloring? Try out our recipe for natural egg dye instead! Another reminder: The eggs are meant for decoration only—do not eat!
We opted to make ours even more festive by adding sprinkles on top, but that's completely optional. If you're going for a classic presentation, your dyed eggs will still be plenty eye-catching all on their own.
Made this bread? Don't forget the leave a comment and rate it below!
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- Yields:
- 10 serving(s)
- Prep Time:
- 15 mins
- Total Time:
- 3 hrs 30 mins
Ingredients
For the bread
Cooking spray
- 1 c.
lukewarm milk
- 1/2 c.
plus 1 tsp. granulated sugar, divided
- 2 1/2 tsp.
or 1 (0.25-oz.) packageactive dry yeast
- 4 1/2 c.
all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
- 2 tsp.
kosher salt
- 2
large eggs
- 1/2 c.
(1 stick) butter, softened and cut into cubes
Egg wash, for brushing
Sprinkles, for topping
For the eggs
- 4
large eggs
- 1 c.
boiling water, divided
- 2 tsp.
distilled white vinegar, divided
Food coloring
Directions
- Step1Grease a large bowl with cooking spray. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, add milk and 1 teaspoon sugar and sprinkle yeast on top. Let sit until frothy, about 8 minutes.
- Step2In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine flour, remaining ½ cup sugar, and salt. Add milk-and-yeast mixture and eggs. Mix until a very soft dough forms, about 5 minutes. Increase to medium-high speed and add in butter a tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition, until dough pulls away from sides of bowl, about 15 minutes.
- Step3Transfer dough to greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
- Step4Meanwhile make hard-boiled eggs: Place eggs in a medium pot and cover with water. Over medium heat, bring to a boil. Cover and turn off heat. Let sit for 11 minutes, then remove from pan and dunk in ice water.
- Step5Divide 1 cup boiling water between 2 bowls. Add 1 teaspoon vinegar and desired food coloring to each bowl. Add one egg at a time and let sit 5 to 10 minutes, depending on preferred color. Use a slotted spoon to remove from bowl and let dry on a wire rack fitted over a baking sheet.
- Step6Preheat oven to 375° and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, divide dough into 3 equal parts. Roll each piece into a 16" long rope. Place ropes side by side lengthwise on prepared baking sheet. Pinch top ends together, then tightly braid ropes together. Bring ends together to form a circle and pinch together.
- Step7Press dyed eggs into braid, then cover dough and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Step8Brush with egg wash and top with sprinkles. Bake until golden, 30 minutes.
Makinze Gore
Senior Food Editor
Makinze is currently senior food editor at Delish, where she develops recipes, creates, and hosts recipe videos and is our current baking queen. She is our expert pie crimper, believes you should always have the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies on hand, and everyone needs to know a perfect roast chicken recipe.
