16+ Traditional Italian Easter Bread Recipe Discover Culinary Perfection!

Ingredients:

Dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Egg Wash:

• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp milk

Toppings:

• 1/2 cup pearl sugar or coarse sugar
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Divide the dough into 3 equal parts and roll each part into a long rope.
8. Braid the 3 ropes together and shape into a ring, pinching the ends together to form a circle.
9. Place the bread on the prepared baking sheet.
10. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk for the egg wash.
11. Brush the egg wash over the bread and sprinkle with pearl sugar and chopped almonds.
12. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
13. Let the bread cool before slicing and serving.

Tips:

To make this bread even more traditional, you can add a variety of toppings such as candied orange peel, raisins, or anise seeds. You can also add a raw egg on top of the bread before baking, which will cook and become a delicious surprise inside the bread when it's done.

Another tip is to serve the bread with a side of cured meats and cheeses, as it's a common Easter tradition in Italy to have a savory Easter breakfast or brunch.

Conclusion:

This traditional Italian Easter bread recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to add some cultural flair to their Easter celebrations. With its rich history and delicious flavors, it's sure to become a favorite in your household. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to bake a piece of Italian tradition.

HTML Code:

<h2>Ingredients:</h2>

<h3>Dough:</h3>

<ul> <li>4 cups all-purpose flour</li> <li>1/4 cup granulated sugar</li> <li>2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast</li> <li>1/2 tsp salt</li> <li>1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted</li> <li>1/2 cup milk</li> <li>4 eggs</li> <li>1 tsp vanilla extract</li> </ul>

<h3>Egg Wash:</h3>

<ul> <li>1 egg</li> <li>1 tbsp milk</li> </ul>

<h3>Toppings:</h3>

<ul> <li>1/2 cup pearl sugar or coarse sugar</li> <li>1/4 cup chopped almonds</li> </ul>

<h2>Instructions:</h2>

<ol> <li>In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.</li> <li>In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.</li> <li>Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.</li> <li>Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.</li> <li>Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.</li> <li>Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.</li> <li>Divide the dough into 3 equal parts and roll each part into a long rope.</li> <li>Braid the 3 ropes together and shape into a ring, pinching the ends together to form a circle.</li> <li>Place the bread on the prepared baking sheet.</li> <li>In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk for the egg wash.</li> <li>Brush the egg wash over the bread and sprinkle with pearl sugar and chopped almonds.</li> <li>Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.</li> <li>Let the bread cool before slicing and serving.</li> </ol>

<h2>Tips:</h2>

To make this bread even more traditional, you can add a variety of toppings such as candied orange peel, raisins, or anise seeds. You can also add a raw egg on top of the bread before baking, which will cook and become a delicious surprise inside the bread when it's done.

Another tip is to serve the bread with a side of cured meats and cheeses, as it's a common Easter tradition in Italy to have a savory Easter breakfast or brunch.

<h2>Conclusion:</h2>

This traditional Italian Easter bread recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to add some cultural flair to their Easter celebrations. With its rich history and delicious flavors, it's sure to become a favorite in your household. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to bake a piece of Italian tradition.