The Best Italian Easter Bread
This delicious bread recipe also doubles as a beautiful centerpiece for your Easter table! With colored Easter eggs nestled in the dough, this Easter bread is every bit as pretty as it is mouthwatering. Follow this recipe for The Best Italian Easter Bread and find out how to make this attractive holiday dish for your own holiday table. It's a classic Easter tradition in many households and with this easy Easter recipe it can become a part of your holiday happenings too!
Cooking Time35 min
Ingredients
- 3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup warm milk
- 2 tablespoon butter, softened
- 7 eggs
- 1/2 cup mixed candied fruit, chopped
- 1/4 cup blanched almonds, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon anise seed
- vegetable oil
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Add milk and butter; beat 2 minutes on medium speed.
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Add 2 eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes on high speed.
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Stir in fruit, nuts and anise seed; mix well.
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Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured board; knead until smooth, about 6-8 minutes.
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Place dough in a greased bowl; turn once. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
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If desired, dye remaining eggs (leave them uncooked); lightly rub with oil.
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Punch dough down. Divide in half and roll each piece into a 24-inch rope. Loosely twist ropes together; place on a greased baking sheet and form into a ring. Pinch ends together.
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Gently split ropes and tuck eggs into openings. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan; cool on a wire rack.