Easter Bread with Eggs (Print View)
Soft braided bread featuring colorful eggs and subtle vanilla-citrus notes for festive celebrations.
# Ingredient List:
→ Dough
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
04 - 1/2 cup whole milk, lukewarm
05 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
06 - 3 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
09 - Zest of 1 lemon or orange
→ Decoration
10 - 5–6 raw eggs, dyed with food coloring
11 - 1 egg yolk, beaten
12 - 1 tbsp milk
13 - Colored sprinkles (optional)
# How to Make:
01 - Combine lukewarm milk with 1 tablespoon of sugar and the yeast in a small bowl. Stir gently and let sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
02 - Whisk together flour, remaining sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the activated yeast mixture, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and citrus zest. Mix until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
03 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and springs back when pressed. Dust with additional flour as needed to prevent sticking.
04 - Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to coat all surfaces. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1–1.5 hours until doubled in size.
05 - Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles. Divide into 3 equal portions and roll each into a 16-inch rope. Braid the ropes together tightly, then form into a ring or leave as a straight braid. Pinch the ends firmly to seal.
06 - Transfer the braid to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently press the dyed eggs into the braids, spacing them evenly. The dough will expand during baking to hold them securely. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes.
07 - Heat the oven to 350°F with the rack positioned in the center.
08 - Whisk the egg yolk with milk until smooth. Brush the entire surface of the bread with the mixture, avoiding the colored eggs. Sprinkle with colored sprinkles if using.
09 - Bake for 28–32 minutes until the bread develops a deep golden color and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil for the remaining time.
10 - Transfer the bread to a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing or serving. This prevents the texture from becoming gummy.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The soft, vanilla scented dough brings people into the kitchen like nothing else
- Those baked eggs become creamy and rich, not rubbery like you might expect
02 -
- The eggs go in raw and cook inside the bread, which is why timing matters so much
- If you prefer hard boiled eggs, cook and cool them before dyeing and placing in the dough
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients prevent the butter from hardening and creating tough spots in your dough
- Watch the bread closely after twenty minutes, every oven behaves differently