“At the heart of every family tradition is a meaningful experience” -Author Unknown
For 8 years I’ve been making this Italian Easter Bread Recipe to celebrate the Easter Holiday. It is something my Italian ancestors did generation after generation. When Rex and I got married I continued the tradition for our family. Every year I color the eggs, make the delicious dough from scratch, form them into the prettiest shapes and bake. This was the first year the girls remembered this experience. Evie even asked “Mommy, are we going to make the bread with the egg in it?”
What I love about this Bread
It is such a show stunner. Its gorgeous. You can twist it into all kinds of shapes. I’ve done the popular nests but I’ve also done bunnies and a cross. My Nana is famous for making one in the shape of an alligator with the egg propped inside his mouth. Maybe I’ll be brave enough to try that next year. The next best part is this bread is like a sweet bread. It’s perfect for brunch, or dessert or really any time of day. I really love sneaking a piece in the afternoon with a cup of hot tea. It’s so YUMMY!
This is a really fun recipe to make with your kids. The girls loved coloring the eggs, twisting the dough and placing the egg in the center. Oh, and eating the sprinkles, I’m pretty sure that was the entire reason for their help.
Italian Easter Bread Recipe
- 6 RAW eggs
- Egg Coloring Kit
- 2 Cups Warm Milk
- 1/2 Cup Melted Butter
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 1 packet of Rapid Rise Dry Yeast
- 4 Cups Flour (I used Bread Flour)
- 1 tsp. Baking Powder
- 2 tsp. Salt
- 3/4 Cup Flour
- 3/4 Cup Softened Butter (Filling)
- 3/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar (Filling)
- 1 1/2 T. Cinnamon (Filling)
How to Make Italian Easter Bread
First Step is to color your eggs. DO NOT use hard boiled eggs, this will result with an explosion inside your oven. The eggs will cook when you bake your bread. Gently dip your raw eggs into egg dye of your choice. Place back in fridge until you are ready to use.
To make your dough:
Step One:
In a large bowl mix together warm milk, melted butter, sugar, dry yeast and flour. Mix well until dough forms and then place a dish towel over the bowl and let rise for 1- 1.5 hours. While I wait for the dough to rise I use this opportunity to clean up the kitchen.
Step Two:
Next, sprinkle on top of your dough the baking powder, salt and the 3/4 cup of flour. Mix. Roll your dough onto parchment paper. I like to sprinkle more flour on the dough and on my work service to make it easier to roll out. Knead a few times and then roll dough out (about 1 inch thick). Spread the 3 filling ingredients over the top of your rolled out dough. Then roll dough into a large log. From here you will cut your log into 12 pieces. This is where the fun begins.
Step Three:
To make your nests you will take 2 pieces. Roll between your hand to make a long “snake” about 10-12 inches long. Pinch the ends of the two together and then twist like a braid. Form your braid into a circle and then pinch the other two ends together. Place your raw colored egg in the center and move to a baking sheet. Do this with all 6 nests. Your nests should be small (about the size of your hand). Once you have your nests on your baking sheets cover with a dishtowel and allow to rise for another 30-45 minutes.
Before you put your bread in the oven, brush the tops of the bread with 1 egg + 1 tsp. water. Then add sprinkles.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.
I hope you try this Italian Easter Bread Recipe with your family. If you do, please share with us what you think!
If you love cooking with kids try my Quick and Easy Homemade Salsa Recipe. For more fun ideas and inspiration, come follow along with me on Instagram HERE.
TAG ME on Instagram @projectwhim if you try anything from the blog! I love to see and share!
Wishing everyone a very Blessed Easter.
