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Easter Bread

Apr 12, 2019 · 58 Comments

This traditional braided bread is slightly sweet and soft, and best served warm for a perfect treat on Easter morning!

When I think of Easter Bread, I think of the colorful loaves or buns that are typical of bakeries here in New York. They tend to be sweet but not overly so, often being somewhere in the realm of a ‘dessert muffin’ or ‘coffee cake.’ In terms of appearance, they can be decorated with glazes, sprinkles, and sometimes colored eggs, since they’re intended to be as much a feast for the eyes as for the palate.

Invariably, when I was growing up, these ‘breads’ would be displayed in virtually every bakery window during the Easter Season, and in particular on Easter Sunday for people on their way back home from Mass. Back then, even the priests would joke about the Easter Mass attendance. “Remember, this coming Sunday you’re going to see a lot of strangers in here. It will be loud, it will be hot, and many of you who are accustomed to the front row will arrive to find standing room only. Be charitable, my sisters and brothers, and welcome these wayward members of our flock with open arms. And remember, you don’t have to like them, you only see them once or twice a year. Just do what I do and offer it up.”

After those Easter masses we would have to pass by a bakery window on our way back to our car, and I remember trays and trays of these colorful and artfully formed ‘breads,’ often in the shape of wreaths. They were positively works of art – but they weren’t pastries. Oh no, the sign made sure to tell me that they were “Easter Breads.”

Naturally, we would never buy these breads – my mother always made her own.

The origins of ‘Easter Bread’ are hazy to say the least – in part because virtually every cultural group in Europe claims some version of this bread as their own, and almost no two are alike…at all.

For example, German ‘Osterbrot’ typically resembles a loaf of plain raisin bread with the addition of chopped almonds, and sometimes features a glaze, and rarely a colored egg as decoration. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Spanish Hornazo is a savory ‘meat bread’ with chorizo, hard boiled eggs, and bacon folded inside.

Growing up, my family’s Italian version of Easter Bread – ‘Colomba Pasquale’ – was a loaf my mother would form into the shape of a dove. The loaf was semi-sweet, though slightly sweeter than the more familiar pannetone, and had candied fruits and peels baked in. After baking, the loaf was topped with a white glaze and coarse sugar. While most often served as coffee cake in the morning, it was more like ‘dessert for breakfast,’ at least in my mind. Back then, you could sometimes find these in Italian bakeries and grocers imported them from Italy during the Easter Season.

Greek Easter bread, Tsoureki, is likely where things start to become a bit more familiar for those of us from the states – that is, slightly sweeter and (usually) more colorful. Tsoureki, in my experience, is prepared from a sweetened yeast dough, and is often formed into braided loaves with a challah-like consistency, although you can expect circular and roll shapes as well. Red colored eggs are a hallmark – though not a rule. Glazes and sprinkles are also not off limits, but are not ‘traditional.’

So, what’s the right way to make Easter Bread? Whichever way brings you the most joy, of course, and for someone like myself who thinks of those sweet and colorful confections from the windows of New York bakeries when I was growing up, that’s precisely where today’s recipe comes in.

Now, I know what you’re thinking as you’re looking at the pictures, that this is hard, and…yeah, it’s not going to be easy. Just follow along, and you’ll do fine.

We begin by sweet-proofing some yeast. To do this, we heat milk in a small saucepan until it’s warm to the touch. You want to warm it, not scald it. Scalding takes about four minutes, so you’re not going to want to heat this for more than two. Once warm, transfer the milk to a sturdy glass – I prefer a mason jar – and then add in your yeast and a tablespoon of sugar. Set this aside and let it froth. No, don’t cover it.

Next, in the bowl of a stand-mixer with the hook attachment in place, combine your flours, three tablespoons of sugar, and a teaspoon of salt. Add your proofed yeast to the mix, along with butter, eggs, and honey. Now mix the dough on low speed until it comes together as a smooth, soft dough. Cover the dough and let it rest in a warm place for about two hours. You want the dough to roughly double in size.

Transfer the dough onto a well-floured surface, and begin gently kneading the dough into a smooth ball. Now, divide the dough in half, and then divide those halves into quarters. You want to end up with eighths. No, you cannot just cut the dough into eighths. Trust me on this.

Working with one of those pieces, divide it yet again, and then ‘rope’ those halves until they are about twelve inches long, and then twist the ropes together as shown below. You want to construct ‘wreaths’ as pictured below. Repeat this process with each piece of dough, setting the wreaths on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.

When you’re done, cover the wreaths with a cloth, and let them rise in a dark, warm place for about an hour.

After that’s done, brush the breads with an egg wash, and top with colored sprinkles, and then bake for about ten minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or until golden.

Living the Gourmet

Yields 6 Easter breads

Serves 6

470

Easter Bread

15 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

25 minTotal Time

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5 based on 29 review(s)

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Ingredients

  • 3 cups AP flour
  • ½ cup whole wheat flour
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • 1 cup milk
  • Egg wash (1 egg + 1 tablespoon water whisked together)
  • Sprinkles for topping
  • Colored eggs (optional)

Instructions

  1. Begin by proofing your yeast. In a small saucepan, heat milk just until warm to the touch. Transfer to a glass then add your yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Set aside and let the yeast froth.
  2. In the bowl of your mix master with the hook attachment, combine flours, remaining tablespoons of sugar, and salt. Once your yeast has proofed, add to the flour mixture along with butter, eggs, and honey.
  3. Mix the dough on medium-low speed until a soft dough comes together. Cover the dough and let rest in a warm place for at least 2 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
  4. Transfer the dough onto a well-floured surface and lightly knead into a smooth ball. Divide the dough ball in half, then in quarters.
  5. Working with one of the quarters, divide them in half and 'rope' both halves until about 12" long. twist the ropes together, then make a wreath with them by pinching the edges. Place each wreath on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat this process for the rest of the quarters.
  6. Cover the Easter breads and let rise once again in a warm place for about 1 hour.
  7. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  8. Brush the Easter breads with an egg wash, then top with colored sprinkles. Bake for about 10 minutes or until the breads are golden.
  9. If you choose to serve these breads with colored eggs, be sure to let them cool to room temp before place the colored eggs in the center of the hole.
  10. Serve and enjoy! These bread will keep for up to 1 week.

Notes

Prep Time does NOT include Inactive Prep Time.

7.8.1.2
843
https://livingthegourmet.com/2019/04/easter-bread.html

You can, of course, serve these with cooled colored eggs propped in the middle.

And this is what I think when I think Easter Bread. What are some of your favorite Easter themed confections? I would love to hear from you!

Enjoy with Love!

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2

Bread/Muffins/Other Baked Delights baking, bread, easter, easter bread, eggs, spring

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stacie says

    12/04/2019 at 6:21 pm

    Mmm-MMMM! I can't wait to make this. I love that hint of sweet, and the braided rings just look so darn cute. This is great!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 7:53 pm

      I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try. They are pretty and festive for the holiday too.
      Reply
  2. Gloria Roa Baker says

    12/04/2019 at 11:02 pm

    what lovely and perfect Easter bread! so beautiful Catherine!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  3. angiesrecipes says

    13/04/2019 at 4:28 am

    Beautiful and delicious! Happy Spring, Catherine!
    Reply
  4. Julianne Robinson says

    13/04/2019 at 5:42 am

    Not only do these look and sound DELICIOUS, they are absolutely adorable and perfect for Easter!
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 7:55 pm

      Thank you. They do brighten up the Easter table.
      Reply
  5. Cristina Petrini says

    13/04/2019 at 8:14 am

    It's one of my favorite recipes for Easter, I don't know how to cook it, but I love eating it!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 7:56 pm

      It is not difficult if you decide to give it a try. I love eating this bread too. Thank you for visiting.
      Reply
  6. Raluca says

    13/04/2019 at 8:19 am

    Always admired Easter bread but I never got around to actually making one, I always thought it's difficult to do so! Thanks for sharing your recipe, I'm now considering making one for the first time ;)
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 7:57 pm

      it is not difficult if you decide to give it a try. I do hope you enjoy it.
      Reply
  7. Joanna says

    13/04/2019 at 11:52 am

    I think it's a nice tradition to have an Easter Bread. I am European but I didn't hear about this tradition, we didn't have it in my family. We did however have other Easter traditional foods.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 7:57 pm

      I do enjoy learning all the different traditions for the holidays. Thank you for visiting.
      Reply
  8. Brianne Tursi Manz says

    13/04/2019 at 3:14 pm

    I have never seen anything like this before! The presentation is flawless, and they look so delicious! My family will love these.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 7:58 pm

      Thank you. I hope you and your family enjoy it if you do give it a try.
      Reply
  9. DAVID J MYERS says

    13/04/2019 at 3:35 pm

    Catherine, Lovely Easter bread! When we lived in Chicago, some of the local bakeries offered similar items. Our favorite Easter confection isn't a confection...but instead a satisfying Easter meal. It was an Italian pie like creation with eggs, sausage, cheese and seasoning in a nice flaky pie crust. I can't remember what it was called but we'd always buy 2 of them and spread out the enjoyment... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 8:00 pm

      I love Pizza Giana too. This bread I think you would enjoy as well.
      Reply
  10. Emmy says

    13/04/2019 at 4:32 pm

    Oh wow, I've never heard of Easter bread but it sounds like such a lovely tradition. I wonder if this is more of an East Coast thing? I grew up in California and have never seen bakeries make these. Easter was usually mass then brunch! I would like to incorporate this into our tradition though, I'll give this recipe a try.
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 8:02 pm

      I don't know if it is only a East coast tradition but the bakeries were always filled with these pies. Unfortunately, there really are not that many bakeries around as there were in the past.
      Reply
  11. Yeah Lifestyle says

    13/04/2019 at 10:14 pm

    This Easter bread looks so delicious! I might have to make this for Easter morning.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 8:02 pm

      I hope you enjoy it if you do.
      Reply
  12. Heather says

    14/04/2019 at 1:59 am

    This looks like such an awesome recipe! This is on my radar for Easter morning!
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 8:03 pm

      I hope you enjoy it.
      Reply
  13. Joyce says

    14/04/2019 at 4:15 am

    What a creative idea! I like it. One thing is I don't know how to bake although I do own an electric oven it's a gift from my hubs and I've never touched it ever since I had it. Maybe I should go explore and give this one a try. Thank You for sharing your creative baking idea!
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 8:03 pm

      I hope you enjoy it is you do.
      Reply
  14. Romeo says

    14/04/2019 at 6:29 am

    This looks nice and simple to put together but so delicious! Perfect for an Easter treat!
    Reply
  15. Becca Wilson says

    14/04/2019 at 5:45 pm

    This bread looks like it would be so fun to make. My kids would really enjoy doing something like this!
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 8:04 pm

      I hope you like it. I think the kids would very much enjoy it.
      Reply
  16. Amanda Rosson says

    15/04/2019 at 6:00 am

    I've never heard of Easter Bread before actually but now I definitely want to make my own! It does sound like it'll be a bit tricky but I've never been one to turn down a challenge!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 8:05 pm

      It really is not difficult. I am sure you will live up to the challenge. I hope you like it.
      Reply
  17. Kiwi says

    15/04/2019 at 8:17 am

    Absolutely adorable. Too cute for Easter festivtites for the sunday dinner!
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 8:05 pm

      Thank you.
      Reply
  18. Kalyan Panja says

    15/04/2019 at 1:01 pm

    The bread and the recipe looks splendid. The awesome photos make it all the more inviting.
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 8:05 pm

      Thank you.
      Reply
  19. Kami | Life with Kami says

    16/04/2019 at 4:16 am

    Looks good and delicious. A topping of sprinkles makes this looks cheery ideal for Easter.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 8:06 pm

      Thank you.
      Reply
  20. Dan from Platter Talk says

    16/04/2019 at 4:36 pm

    My mom always made Easter bread this time of the year and this post brings back such great memories of Easter on the farm. I. have yet to make this holiday treat but your recipe and directions make it look very doable; thanks for the inspiration!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
    • Catherine says

      16/04/2019 at 8:07 pm

      I hope you will enjoy it. Sharing memories and making memories is such a gift.
      Reply
  21. Veena Azmanov says

    17/04/2019 at 5:42 pm

    Amazing idea to making this Easter special. Have to surely try your recipe which looks so interesting.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  22. Heather Perine says

    18/04/2019 at 2:39 pm

    I love making Easter bread...love that this is made with whole wheat flour! Gorgeous with sprinkles too :) this is a great showstopper for an Easter table.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  23. Linda says

    19/04/2019 at 5:33 pm

    Oh wow, these Easter bread look so pretty! And those braids look so fun to make. Pinning this recipe so I can make this bread asap.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  24. Jenni LeBaron says

    19/04/2019 at 8:02 pm

    I love that these are slightly sweet but not overly so. They are the perfect brunch bread for any Easter celebration!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  25. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says

    19/04/2019 at 10:37 pm

    Those braids are beautifully done and the perfect golden brown! I love the addition of wheat flour too to your recipes! They sound delicious with just a hint of sweetness!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  26. Sharon says

    20/04/2019 at 1:06 am

    What a wonderful treat for Easter! I love that this recipe looks easy and another great way to use dyed eggs.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  27. Aleta says

    20/04/2019 at 11:44 pm

    Oooo so pretty! I love your helpful video showing how to braid your beautiful bread. This is going to be so much fun to make with my girls!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  28. kallee says

    21/04/2019 at 1:23 am

    I saw something like this years ago and I thought it looked like such a fun tradition. It looks so elegant.
    Reply
  29. lauren says

    22/04/2019 at 3:28 am

    When I think of Easter, this is the first thing I think of! The colorful eggs and beautiful braided dough! You've done a wonderful job with the details for this recipe, my family is definitely going to enjoy it.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  30. Jacquelyn Hastert says

    22/04/2019 at 12:03 pm

    I made this yesterday and it was fantastic! I can't wait to make it again and again.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  31. Deseree says

    22/04/2019 at 12:04 pm

    Can't beat an easy and delicious bread like this! I love braided bread!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  32. Sara says

    23/04/2019 at 1:25 am

    What a wonderful treat for Easter! These would be memorable and delicious and beautiful to display on the table too!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  33. Gloria says

    30/03/2020 at 4:23 pm

    With Easter just around the corner, I am looking for some great recipes. It will be a different celebration this year for sure.....like NOT having people over. I still want to make something special for hubby and I. I can also make and drop stuff off for my daughter and her family.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  34. Sharon says

    31/03/2020 at 3:45 pm

    This Easter Bread is a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday. They are surprisingly easy to make too.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  35. Heidy says

    01/04/2020 at 8:01 pm

    I love Easter Bread. My best friend's mom who is Greek used to make one and it was awesome! I am really looking forward to trying this recipe. I loved reading all the history as well. I will stop back and let you know how it turned out when I make it. PS those images are wonderful too!!!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  36. Denise says

    02/04/2020 at 2:55 pm

    This brings back memories! My Gram used to make this for Easter. What a beautiful and delicious bread!
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  37. Amy Liu Dong says

    04/04/2020 at 2:43 am

    Wow, that is a lovely and pretty Easter bread, I will share this recipe with my sister and will ask her to make this for everyone.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  38. Marisa F. Stewart says

    04/04/2020 at 5:34 pm

    Loved the story -- yep there are a lot of strangers there at Easter. I make the same Easter bread my mamma did as well as the traditional Pinza. Your Easter breads turned out so pretty - a welcome treat after Mass.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  39. Kari | Chef and Steward says

    04/04/2020 at 7:47 pm

    This looks like such a fun baking project with my little one, especially with the colorful egg in the middle! I really loved reading about the history of Easter bread. In my Jamaican tradition we have an Easter Bun, and you make me want to bake that too this year.
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  40. Paige says

    06/04/2020 at 12:39 am

    This looks so pretty! And not difficult to make either...looks wonderful :)
    ★★★★★
    Reply
  41. Jo says

    06/04/2020 at 2:13 pm

    That's a gorgeous looking bread! I love baking bread and I am definitely going to try this soon.
    ★★★★★
    Reply

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