5 Easy Easter Bread Recipes for Holiday Baking

The aroma of fresh-baked Easter bread wafting through your home is an invitation to the festive spirit of the season. If you're looking to bring some culinary delight to your Easter celebrations, here are five easy Easter bread recipes that will not only make your holiday memorable but also impress your guests with your baking prowess. From the traditional Pane di Pasqua to innovative takes on this delightful tradition, let's dive into the world of Easter bread.

1. Traditional Italian Pane di Pasqua

Start with a classic, the Italian Pane di Pasqua, known for its egg nestled in the dough, symbolizing new life. Here’s how to make it:

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 2 packets active dry yeast
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 3 large eggs, plus 1 for egg wash
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• Zest of one lemon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Non-dyed Easter eggs for decoration

Here's the process:

1. In a bowl, mix milk, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit until bubbly, about 10 minutes.
2. Add eggs, melted butter, lemon zest, and salt to the yeast mixture.
3. Gradually add flour to form dough. Knead until smooth.
4. Let rise until doubled, about 2 hours.
5. Divide dough into portions, braid, and add Easter eggs into the braid.
6. Let it rise again for an hour.
7. Brush with egg wash and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes or until golden.

🌟 Note: Always ensure your yeast is active by testing it with sugar and water before incorporating it into your dough.

2. Greek Tsoureki

This sweet, spiced bread is a staple in Greek Easter celebrations. Here are the ingredients:

• 4 cups bread flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp mahleb spice
• 1 tbsp mastic (optional)
• 1 cup warm milk
• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 eggs
• 1 egg yolk for egg wash
• Red dyed eggs for decoration

Follow these steps:

1. Activate the yeast in warm milk with a bit of sugar.
2. Mix flour, sugar, salt, mahleb, and mastic.
3. Add milk, butter, eggs, and yeast mixture. Knead well.
4. Let rise until double in size, about 2 hours.
5. Form into three strands, braid, and add red eggs into the braid.
6. Let it rise again, then brush with egg yolk, sprinkle with sesame seeds.
7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes.

3. Russian Kulich

Known for its cylindrical shape and icing, this bread is traditionally baked in a coffee can:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 packets active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 10 egg yolks
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange
• 1 cup raisins (optional)
• 2 cups powdered sugar for icing
• Milk or cream to make icing

Here's how to make it:

1. Activate yeast in milk. Mix with eggs, butter, sugar, salt, and citrus zests.
2. Add flour and knead to a soft dough. Add raisins if desired.
3. Let rise until it doubles. Fill greased cans about 1/3 full.
4. Let rise again. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes or until golden.
5. Once cooled, ice with sugar glaze and decorate.

4. Vegan Easter Bread

For those looking for a plant-based alternative, here's a vegan Easter bread recipe:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup warm almond milk
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup vegan butter, melted
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp lemon extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

To make this vegan delight:

1. Combine almond milk and apple cider vinegar to create 'buttermilk'. Add maple syrup and yeast, let sit until frothy.
2. Mix in the melted vegan butter, lemon extract, and salt.
3. Gradually add flour to make dough. Knead until smooth.
4. Let rise until doubled, shape into a round loaf, and let rise again.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 35 minutes or until the bread sounds hollow when tapped.

5. Orange Blossom Easter Bread

This aromatic bread incorporates orange blossom water, giving it a unique and festive flavor:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 packets active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp orange blossom water
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional)

Steps to prepare:

1. Mix yeast, sugar, warm water, and let it proof.
2. Add eggs, orange blossom water, orange juice, zest, salt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture.
3. Incorporate flour until you form a dough. Add cranberries if desired.
4. Knead, let rise until doubled, shape into a wreath, and let rise again.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes.

As we've explored, Easter bread transcends mere baking; it's a celebration of tradition, culture, and the joy of sharing. Each of these recipes brings its unique essence to your Easter table, from the rich symbolism of the Italian Pane di Pasqua to the aromatic layers of the Orange Blossom Easter Bread. Baking these treats is not just about indulging in a sweet treat; it's about infusing your home with the spirit of Easter, bringing people together, and creating memorable moments. So, preheat your ovens, prepare your ingredients, and let the baking begin, filling your home with the delightful scents and the warmth of the holiday season.

What’s the significance of the Easter egg in Easter bread?

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Easter eggs in bread symbolize new life and the resurrection, celebrating the renewal of spring and Easter.

Can I make Easter bread without dairy?

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Yes, the vegan Easter bread recipe above shows you can replace dairy with plant-based alternatives like almond milk and vegan butter.

How do I store Easter bread?

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Easter bread can be stored at room temperature, wrapped well, for up to 3 days, or freeze it for longer storage.