Why do we use uncooked eggs instead of hard-boiled ones?

Uncooked eggs bake along with the bread, resulting in something similar to soft-boiled eggs. This is traditional, but if you prefer, you can substitute hard-boiled dyed eggs instead - they just won't adhere to the bread as well during baking.

Can I make this bread without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon and then knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for about 10-12 minutes until smooth and elastic. It's a bit more work but produces wonderful results.

My dough isn't rising well. What went wrong?

The most common culprits are expired yeast or an environment that's too cool. Make sure your yeast is fresh and create a warm, draft-free spot for rising - around 75-80°F is ideal. Covering the dough with plastic wrap helps trap warmth and moisture.

Italian Easter Bread Recipe

Name: Italian Easter Bread Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 45 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 2 h 5 min
Cuisine: European
Ingredients: 1 cup whole milk; ¼ cup butter; 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided (2 cups and 2 cups); ⅓ cup granulated sugar; 2¼ teaspoons rapid-rise instant yeast (1 package); Zest of 1 lemon; Zest of 1 orange; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 egg; 1 teaspoon milk; Dyed Easter eggs (uncooked – NOT hard-boiled); Colorful sprinkles

This delightful Italian Easter Bread is a beautiful tradition that brings both visual joy and delicious flavors to your holiday table. With its soft, slightly sweet texture and festive appearance, this braided bread adorned with colorful eggs creates a stunning centerpiece that tastes as wonderful as it looks. The subtle citrus notes from orange and lemon zest perfectly complement the rich, brioche-like dough, making this recipe a must-try for your Easter celebration.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Beautiful Presentation: The braided rings with colorful eggs create a stunning centerpiece that will impress everyone at your Easter table.
Perfect Balance of Flavors: The hint of citrus from lemon and orange zest paired with vanilla gives this bread a subtle, beautiful flavor that isn’t overly sweet.
Family Tradition: Making this bread creates wonderful memories – kids especially love helping with the braiding and decorating parts.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare these breads in advance, which means less stress on the holiday morning.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Milk: Adds richness and softness to the dough. Whole milk works best as it contributes to a tender texture.
Butter: Creates that irresistible richness that makes this bread special. Unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level.
Flour: The foundation of our bread. All-purpose flour provides just the right structure without being too heavy.
Sugar: Adds a gentle sweetness that distinguishes this as a celebratory bread rather than everyday bread.
Yeast: The magic ingredient that makes our bread rise beautifully. Rapid-rise instant yeast speeds up the process.
Citrus Zest: Both lemon and orange zest add a wonderful aromatic quality that makes this bread truly special.
Eggs: Provide structure, color, and richness to the dough.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle warmth and depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with the citrus.
Egg Wash: Creates that gorgeous golden-brown sheen on the surface of the bread.
Decorations: Uncooked dyed Easter eggs and colorful sprinkles transform this from bread to a festive celebration.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Sweet Additions

Add 1/2 cup of raisins or dried cranberries to the dough for little bursts of sweetness throughout the bread.

Almond Touch

Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla for a delightful flavor variation.

Orange Glaze

Drizzle cooled bread with a simple orange glaze made from powdered sugar and orange juice for extra sweetness.

Chocolate Version

Add 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips to the dough for a chocolate twist that kids especially love.

How to Make Italian Easter Bread

Step 1: Prepare the Dough Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of flour with sugar, yeast, and both citrus zests. Gently warm the milk and butter mixture in the microwave until just warm (not hot). Add eggs, vanilla, and the warm milk mixture to your dry ingredients and mix until smooth and batter-like.

Step 2: Develop the Dough

Gradually add the remaining 2 cups of flour while mixing with a dough hook. Keep mixing until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, adding small amounts of flour if needed. Continue kneading with the dough hook for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 3: Initial Rest

Form the dough into a ball with minimal extra flour and place it in a clean bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for 15 minutes – this relaxes the gluten and makes the dough easier to work with.

Step 4: Shape the Bread

Punch down the rested dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into an 11-inch rope. Take two ropes, pinch them together at one end, and create a simple braid. Form each braid into a ring, pinching the ends together securely.

Step 5: Rise

Place your braided rings on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 30-60 minutes until doubled in size.

Step 6: Decorate and Bake

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Brush the risen dough rings with egg wash, nestle an uncooked dyed Easter egg in the center of each ring, and sprinkle with colorful sprinkles. Bake for 20 minutes, rotating halfway through, until golden brown.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Flavorful and Crispy: These chimichangas are bursting with flavor, thanks to the combination of tender chicken, a blend of spices, and a creamy, cheesy sour cream sauce. They’re also perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Easy to Make: This recipe is surprisingly easy to follow, even for beginner cooks.
Versatile: You can easily customize these chimichangas with your favorite fillings and toppings.
Freezer-Friendly: You can assemble these chimichangas ahead of time and freeze them for a quick and easy meal later on.

How to Serve

Breakfast Service

Serve slices warm with a spread of butter or cream cheese alongside your Easter morning coffee or tea.

Holiday Table

Present the bread as part of your Easter brunch spread or as a beautiful appetizer before the main holiday meal.

Simple Accompaniments

Pair with fresh fruit, particularly berries or citrus segments, to complement the bread’s subtle sweetness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store completely cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’ve included the eggs, remove them and store separately in the refrigerator.

Freezing

These breads freeze beautifully without the eggs. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before freezing for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature.

Reheating

To enjoy warm, wrap room-temperature bread in foil and heat in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, or microwave individual slices for 10-15 seconds.

FAQs

Why do we use uncooked eggs instead of hard-boiled ones?

Uncooked eggs bake along with the bread, resulting in something similar to soft-boiled eggs. This is traditional, but if you prefer, you can substitute hard-boiled dyed eggs instead – they just won’t adhere to the bread as well during baking.
Can I make this bread without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon and then knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for about 10-12 minutes until smooth and elastic. It’s a bit more work but produces wonderful results.
My dough isn’t rising well. What went wrong?

The most common culprits are expired yeast or an environment that’s too cool. Make sure your yeast is fresh and create a warm, draft-free spot for rising – around 75-80°F is ideal. Covering the dough with plastic wrap helps trap warmth and moisture.

Final Thoughts

This Italian Easter Bread brings together the joy of tradition with delicious taste. The process of making it – from mixing the fragrant dough to braiding the rings and nestling in those colorful eggs – creates not just bread but lasting memories. Even if you’re new to bread baking, this recipe is forgiving and the results are always impressive. The beautiful presentation combined with the delightful flavor makes this so much more than just bread – it’s a celebration on your table. Give it a try this Easter and watch as it becomes a cherished tradition in your home!