Easter is a time full of tradition for many families. One is this delicious Italian Easter bread. It is braided with eggs, which signifies new life in nature., just as we are celebrating new life in the season of spring and in the risen Christ.
- 2 1/2 cups Swany White Flour
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 eggs
- 5 whole eggs (hard boiled and dyed)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 eggs
- 5 whole eggs, dyed if desired
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, salt and yeast; stir well.
- Then, in a small saucepan, mix milk and butter and heat until milk is warm and butter is softened but not melted.
- Then slowly add the milk and butter mixture in to the flour mixture; stirring constantly.
- Add two eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat well.
- Next add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, and stir well after each addition.
- Once the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, This will take about 7-9 minutes.
- Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
- Punch the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, then divide the dough into two equal size rounds. Cover each and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Roll each round into a long roll about 36 inches long and 1 1/2 inches thick and form a loosely braided ring, leaving spaces for the five colored eggs.
- Seal the ends of the ring together and use your fingers to slide the eggs between the braids of dough.
- Place loaf on a buttered baking sheet and cover loosely with a damp towel. Place loaf in a warm place and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
- Brush risen loaf with melted butter.
- Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
- Happy Easter! Enjoy