My daughters love this Italian Easter Bread even when it’s not Easter and I think it’s all the colorful sprinkles decorated over the top that makes this bread eye catching and really pretty! I love trying different foods and cuisines from cultures all around the world, especially at family gathering and celebrations like Easter time. I place a dyed, red egg, in between each of the 6 single knots of soft dough bread with hundreds and thousands of sprinkles around.
To make Italian Easter Bread, you will need the following ingredients:
In a small bowl whisk 1 cup of boiling water, a few drops of food coloring and 1 tablespoon of vinegar until combined.
Working one by one, place an egg inside the dye water and whisk a few times. Set aside for about 5 minutes until colored then transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel to dry. Continue with remaining 5 eggs, adding more food coloring as needed.
In a mixing bowl whisk ½ cup of flour with 2 teaspoons of dry yeast and ½ cup of lukewarm milk until combined then set aside, at room temperature, until the yeast has proofed.
Using an electric mixer on setting speed low, slowly add 2 beaten eggs, 4 tablespoons of melted butter, ¾ cup of sour cream, lemon zest, ¼ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt and mix until combined.
Gradually add the remaining 4¼ cups of sifted flour, ¼ cup at a time until a light and sticky dough forms.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough, working with a few drops of oil at a time, and working with your hands, knead for about 15-20 minutes until 3 tablespoons of oil are absorbed into the dough and it is soft but not sticky.
Set aside for about 1 hour 30 minutes to rise until doubled in volume.
Divide the dough into 12 small balls then roll each ball into 13-15-inch ropes.
Take 2 ropes and braid them together and then bring the two ends to meet, forming a ring shape. Repeat with 10 remaining ropes. Transfer the dough rings to a baking sheet and place a dyed egg in the center of each.
Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for about 30 minutes to rise again.
Preheat the oven to 375 °F.
Once risen, brush the loaves with 2 tablespoons of milk and add sprinkles all over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 22 minutes until golden.
Cool completely before serving and enjoying!
This Easter Bread recipe makes 6 individual, traditional Italian loaves of bread and they’re just beautiful. We’d love to see how yours turn out and how your baking experience goes. Share your creations with us and tag us in your pictures, posts and blogs online using our hashtag #cookmerecipes!
Swapped normal milk for some coconut milk and it actually leaves a hint of coconut taste too would recommend trying it even if youre not vegan.
Love the bright colors and texture of this easter bread, much more funky than the sunny side up dessert in my opinion and goes well with the holiday.
Adorable little bread! I give it a 5 for appearance and 5 for taste.
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