A light and fluffy bread baked around a brightly colored egg. The bread is slightly sweet, with the fresh flavor of lemon and decorated with colorful sprinkles. They are simple to make and cheerfully delicious, everyone will be amazed at how fun they are!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS ITALIAN EASTER BREAD
- Festive and Fun: This colorful bread has dyed Easter eggs baked right in the middle. It’s a cheerful treat that will look great on your holiday table and in your photos!
- Beginner-Friendly: Don’t worry about the braiding—it’s easier than it looks! With clear steps, you can make this recipe, even if you’re new to baking.
- Versatile Flavor: This lightly sweet bread tastes great with butter, honey, or jam. Enjoy it for breakfast, brunch, or a tasty snack!
- Family Tradition: Making Italian Easter Bread is a fun family activity, especially when kids get to help with dyeing the eggs or adding sprinkles.
- Holiday Staple: It’s a traditional centerpiece for Easter celebrations and is sure to delight guests of all ages.
What’s on the Grocery List? Easter Bread Essentials
Let’s break down the key players in this delightful Italian Easter Bread recipe:
- Eggs: The brightly dyed eggs are both decorative and delicious. Use room-temperature eggs to ensure they cook evenly in the bread as it bakes.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of your bread. Use fresh flour for the best results, and sift it to make the dough light and airy.
- Active Dry Yeast: The yeast brings the dough to life, making it rise beautifully. Make sure it’s fresh, and don’t skip activating it in warm milk.
- Milk: Warm milk helps activate the yeast and adds a soft, tender texture to the bread.
- Butter: Melted butter keeps the bread rich and flavorful. Cool it slightly before adding to the dough to avoid damaging the yeast.
- Sour Cream: Sour cream ensures a moist and soft crumb while adding a slight tang to balance the sweetness.
- Lemon Zest: The zest adds a bright, citrusy note that’s refreshing and perfect for spring. Pro tip: Use a microplane grater for the best texture!
- Sprinkles: These are the finishing touch for a festive look. Feel free to get creative with colors and patterns!
Cook It Up: Your Festive Easter Bread How To Guide
Get Creative With Egg Coloring
Start by preparing your dyed eggs. Pour water, vinegar, and food coloring into a mug. Drop an uncooked, room-temperature egg into the colored mix and give it five minutes to soak up the color. Repeat the process for all your eggs, drying them gently afterward.
Wake Up the Yeast
Mix ½ cup of flour with the yeast and lukewarm milk. Allow the mixture to sit for 5–10 minutes until it’s frothy and bubbly. This shows your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic!
Build the Dough
Using a stand mixer with a dough hook, combine the yeast mixture, 2 room-temperature eggs, melted butter (cooled), sour cream, lemon zest, sugar, and salt. Gradually add the remaining flour in ½-cup increments while mixing on medium speed. Once the dough forms, drizzle in the vegetable oil, one tablespoon at a time, and knead for an additional 10–15 minutes.
Knead and Rest
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and give it a good knead for five minutes until smooth. Place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and allow it to rise for about 1½ hours, or until it doubles in size.
Shape Your Masterpiece
Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and roll each into a 14-inch rope. Twist two ropes together and form them into a circular ring, pinching the ends to secure.
Second Rise
Place your braided rings on a parchment-lined baking sheet and nestle a colored egg in the center of each. Cover with a dish towel and allow them to rise for another 30 minutes.
Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 375°F and brush the dough with a bit of milk. Sprinkle generously with festive sprinkles, then bake for 22–25 minutes until golden brown and fragrant.
Cool and Serve
Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool on the pan for 5–10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Be sure it’s completely cooled before serving.
Must-Have Kitchen Helpers
Storage Tips
- Meal Prep: You can make the dough a day ahead—simply complete the kneading step, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bring it to room temperature before continuing.
- Storage: Once baked, store the bread at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Italian Easter Bread
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water boiling
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 15-20 drops food coloring
- 8 large eggs room temperature
- 4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 envelope (0.25 oz) active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup milk warm
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 3/4 cup sour cream room temperature
- 1-2 lemons zest
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- sprinkles
Instructions
- In a mug, stir together the water, vinegar and food coloring. Place an uncooked, room temperature egg into the mug and allow it to remain in the mug for 5 minutes. Color an additional 5 eggs.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup flour, the yeast and a 1/2 cup of lukewarm milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes or until it foams up.
- On low speed, using a dough hook, slowly add the yeast mixture, 2 room temperature eggs, 1/4 cup of melted butter (cooled), 3/4 cup of room temperature sour cream, lemon zest, sugar and salt. Turn speed to medium and gradually add the remaining flour, a 1/2 cup at a time, continue mixing for 5 minutes. Add vegetable oil one tablespoon at a time add continue mixing for 10-15 minutes.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 5 minutes. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover and leave at room temperature until it doubles in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Divide dough into 12 equal sized balls. Using your hands shape each of the balls into a 14-inch rope. Using two of the ropes, twist them together then shape it into a ring, make sure that you pinch the ends together.
- Place on a parchment lined baking sheet, place a colored egg in the center, cover with a clean dish towel or plastic wrap and allow it to rise for 30 minutes.
- Place oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375°F. Brush the dough with the remaining milk and top with sprinkles.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool on the pan for 5-10 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling. Allow to cool completely before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Italian Easter Bread isn’t just yummy, it’s a fun way to bring joy and family togetherness to Easter. With its soft sweetness and colorful eggs, it’s a fun tradition that makes the holiday extra special. Why not try making it this year? Gather your supplies, get everyone in the kitchen, and share some laughs while you bake. You’ll not only have beautiful bread for your Easter table but also make happy memories with the people you love. Have fun baking and Happy Easter!
The Best Ever Carrot Cake
Indulge in the perfect homemade carrot cake; moist, spiced, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting! This easy-to-follow recipe will have you baking this classic favorite, bursting with flavor in every bite.
How to Make Candied Carrots for Snacking & Decorating
Add a touch of sweetness to your life with these irresistible candied carrots! Glazed to perfection with buttery brown sugar, they’re an easy and delicious snack the whole family will love.
Classic Deviled Eggs: A Simple & Irresistible Recipe
Whip up these classic deviled eggs with this easy, foolproof recipe, it’s creamy, tangy, and packed with flavor! Perfect for parties, picnics, or a quick snack, these crowd-pleasers come together in no time.
Ham and Broccoli Casserole from Easter Leftovers
Turn your Easter dinner leftovers into a delicious, budget-friendly meal with this cheesy ham and broccoli casserole! Creamy, comforting, and easy to make, it’s the perfect way to enjoy every last bite of your holiday feast.
I want to try these. Does it take a long time, and do you dye the eggs uncooked; since the eggs cook in the oven?
They do take a bit of time, mostly waiting for the dough to rise. And you’re right, the eggs do cook in the oven so you color uncooked eggs.
Yummy! I still need to figure out what I’m making for Easter. It’s a fun holiday!
Looks great. This is similar to the Portuguese Easter bread (called “folar”), though to be honest I’ve never learned the original recipe for it.
Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party this week, and happy Easter!
Pinned.
What a beautiful Easter bread! Pinning and sharing on the Hearth and Soul Facebook page later today. Thank you so much for sharing with the Hearth and Soul Link Party, Robin. Happy Easter!
I love this cute look for Easter. I pinned for safe keeping until next Easter.
Happy Spring, Kippi
This reminds me of how much I love Spring! Thank for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party – hope to see at next week’s party tomorrow!
I love the color of this easter bread! Just bookmarked it so I can make this in Easter next year!
Looks delicious!! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party – have a fabulous week ahead –