Are you looking for the perfect Easter recipe to wow your family and friends this holiday? This Italian Easter Bread Recipe is made with a delicious soft, fluffy brioche-style dough.
Not only does it taste amazing but it also looks stunning with its festive array of brightly colored eggs nestled inside. With just a few simple steps, you'll soon be on your way to creating an unforgettable Easter tradition!
Check out all the other Easter Bread Recipes for even more deliciousness!
This classic recipe takes some time and love from start to finish, but when all is said and done you'll have an incredibly flavorful result that will leave lasting memories for everyone involved.
If you're looking for a shortcut version of this recipe using frozen bread dough, check out my Individual Easter Bread Rings. Especially if you find yourself a little too busy to make a homemade bread recipe, so this is a nice alternative.
Or maybe the thought of working with a yeast dough is intimidating? Try my Bread Machine Easter Bread recipe that uses the bread machine to make and rise the dough.
Table of Contents
What does Italian Easter Bread symbolize?
Do you have a family tradition for Easter? Easter Breads are festive and makes such a pretty presentation. It also makes a lovely gift to bring to the hostess for Easter Sunday dinner.
There are a few different ways to prepare Italian Easter Bread. One is in the shape of a wreath to symbolize the crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ when he was crucified.
The other is to braid the dough to represent the Holy Trinity. Some breads have eggs and some don't. The eggs symbolize "rebirth" which in turn symbolizes Christ rising from the dead.
🛒Helpful Kitchen Tools
Fleischmann's Active Dry YeastMore InformationStainless Steel ScrapperMore InformationLarge Silicone Pastry MatMore InformationWood French Rolling PinMore Information
📋Ingredients
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
You'll also need the following items not shown in the photo above:
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tsp grated Lemon Zest
📌Quick Tip: It's important that you use RAW colored eggs with this recipe. The eggs will cook in the oven while the bread bakes. If you use hard-boiled eggs, they might explode in the oven while the bread bakes
🥣Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Yeast
Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the heated milk with the package of dry yeast and 2 tablespoon sugar. Set aside until the mixture is foamy.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl with the dough hook attached, add 4 cups of the flour. Then add the eggs.
Step 3: Slowly add the melted butter and combine.
Step 4: Next, add the sugar.
Step 5: Then add in the salt, lemon zest and almond extract.
Step 6: Once the yeast mixture has "proofed" add it to the mixing bowl as well and begin to combine everything together. If the dough becomes too sticky or wet, add more of the remaining flour.
Step 7: As soon as the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl and come together, set your kitchen timer for 8 minutes and let the machine "knead" the dough for you.
Allow the Dough to Rise
Step 8: Remove the dough from the mixing bowl to a floured surfaced and knead by hand for a minute.
Step 9: Place the dough in a bowl with a little oil. Cover and let rise until doubled in size.
How to Braid the Dough
Step 10: After the dough has risen once, remove it from the bowl onto a floured surface. Work the dough into two long strips or ropes and begin to braid.
Step 11: And yes, I know technically this is not a braid. If you want you can make three long strips and then make a traditional braid like I do with my Bread Machine Italian Easter Bread.
Baking Instructions
Step 12: Tuck the ends of the braids together and then add aluminum foil place holders for the eggs. This step is not necessary, but I like to do it so the dough doesn't rise up around the eggs. Cover with plastic wrap loosely and allow the bread to double in size.
Step 13: Insert the RAW colored eggs into sections of the braided dough. Don't worry, the eggs will cook in the oven as the bread bakes. Brush with the egg wash and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 20 minutes or until the bread is golden brown.
Before You Begin!
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Substitutions and Variations
- This bread dough recipe is delicious any time of year. You don't have to use it only for Easter bread.
- Once the dough has risen, you can form it any way you'd like as well. You can divide the dough into smaller loaves or make individual braided rings.
- My grandmother's recipe is very similar to this Easy Egg Bread Recipe.
Storage Tips
- Wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap or store in a paper bag to keep it from drying out.
- You can also place the bread inside an airtight container or zip-top bag and store at room temperature for up to two days.
- For longer storage, place in the refrigerator or freezer.
Easter bread is a type of sweet egg bread traditionally made around the Easter holiday. It is usually made with flour, eggs, butter, milk, sugar, and yeast. Some recipes may also include fruits or nuts such as raisins or almonds. The dough is given time to rise before it is shaped into a loaf or braid with pastel colored eggs and baked until golden brown.
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Italian Easter Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Bread Dough
- 1 cup warm milk 105 - 115°F
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 5 cups flour; more if needed
- 1 cup butter melted COOLED butter
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
For the Colored Easter Eggs
- Easter Egg Coloring Kit
- 3-4 raw eggs
For the Egg Wash/Glaze
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon of water
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the heated milk with the package of dry yeast and 2 tbsp. sugar. Set aside until the mixture is foamy.
- In a mixing bowl with the dough hook attached, add 4 cups of the flour along with the remaining ingredients.
- Once the yeast mixture has "proofed" add it to the mixing bowl as well and begin to combine everything together.
- If the dough becomes too sticky or wet, add more of the remaining flour.
- Once the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl and come together, set your kitchen timer for 8 minutes and let the machine "knead" the dough for you.
- Remove the dough from the mixing bowl to a floured surfaced and knead by hand for a few minutes.
- Place the dough in another clean mixing bowl that has a little bit of oil rubbed over the entire bowl.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel...set aside to rise until doubled in size.
- While the dough is rising, dye 3 eggs...keeping them RAW.
- After the dough has doubled, punch it down and transfer to a floured surface.
- Divide the dough into two balls and slowly work them into long ropes.
- Braid the two ropes into one loaf and place on a baking tray that is lined with parchment paper.
- Insert the RAW colored eggs into sections of the braided loaf of bread.
- Cover with plastic wrap and set aside to double again.
- Make the egg wash using the yolk and 1 tablespoon of water.
- Carefully brush the bread with the egg wash.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until the bread is golden brown.
Notes
This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2014 with new photos and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Rose says
Hello, and thanks for sharing your wonderful recipe for Easter bread, my Italian Moma has been making our version for years, our family tradition... I used Gluten free flour, so it looks and rolls differently, although I had a great time making it , turned out tasty not sweet and really moist too!
Lois says
Glad you were able to adapt your family's recipe with gluten free flour. Thanks for visiting!
Christina Campitiello says
Tried this recipe and it is delicious !
I even got Request’s from my family to make it again -
Thank you for sharing this recipe 💕
Lois says
I'm so happy to hear you all enjoyed the recipe. Thank you coming back to let me know.
Linda says
I was wondering if you can make the dough and put it together the day before and just put it in the oven Easter Day.
Lois says
I have never tried that! But the bread stays fresh for a few days. I usually bake this bread the day before Easter and serve it with our breakfast and then have it out when my family comes for dinner later in the day. It always tastes delicious and it's even better a few days later toasted! Thank you for visiting.
Bonnie Taylor says
The traditional Italian Easter Bread is shaped in a ring with 5 colored raw eggs. The ring represents the crown of thorns and the eggs represent the five wounds of the crucified Christ. It is a delicious holiday treat with a religious meaning.
Lois says
I never knew that! Thank you for the information.
Heidi says
What a fabulous looking Easter bread. I cannot wait to try my hand at your recipe! Pinning so I can make it this Easter!
Lois says
Thanks Heidi! Hope you enjoy the recipe and the new tradition!
Nancy Pallotto says
It is beautiful. My mother-in-law, from Italy, made it like that except she added anise to it.
Lois says
Yes! We've done that flavor also. Thank you for visiting.
Jasmine | Midsummer Life Dream says
I made this a few years ago and it was delicious and so festive, but I lost the recipe and forgot about it. Thanks for sharing so that I can make this again!
Lois says
I'm so happy you came to check out the recipe! It's one of our favorite traditions. Thank you for visiting.
Kim~madeinaday says
Gorgeous bread! I would love this for Easter. Pinned & sharing! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
Lois says
Thank you! Your party is one of my favorites. Thanks for visiting!
Rachel Teodoro says
Just wanted you to know that I will be featuring this project on an Easter round up as part of the create link inspire party. Thanks for linking up!
Jemma@athomewithjemma says
Good Morning Lois,
We are homemade bread people and we would love this! Not to mention that it is gorgeous.
The ladies at Thoughts of Home on Thursday would love for you to join us at our party and share your time and talents with us too!
Thank you,
Jemma
Carole says
Lois, this would be a great contribution to Food on Friday: Easter Foods over at Carole's Chatter. Please do bring it over. Cheers
Shirley Wood says
I made yeast rolls yesterday and doing this crossed my mind. It's so cute. Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday.
Kati says
Your bread is so beautiful! I don't think I want to wait until Easter to try this, it looks amazing.
Catherine says
Dear Lois, you bread looks beautiful! I must make my own sometime. My niece is hosting Easter this year and it would so nice to bring this to her. xo, Catherine
Forgetful Mom says
I have never seen anything like this before! It's beautiful.
Rose FineCraftGuild says
Wow. This looks officially FANTASTIC. I now have a bread machine and wonder if I could make something like this in it. Worth a try! Thank you. I am really pleased you linked this up with us at our linky party! Hugs, Rose, FineCraftGuild.com
Cathy McInnes says
I have always wondered how to make this! Looks great! I would love for you to share this over at my new link party Making Memories Mondays going on now!
Cathy@threekidsandafish{dot}com
Diane Roark says
Your Easter Bread is truly beautiful. Thank you for taking the time to share on Wonderful Wed. blog hop. I pinned several times.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
recipesforourdailybread
ouramericantravels
Diane Roark says
Your Easter Bread is truly beautiful. Thank you for taking the time to share on Wonderful Wed. blog hop. I pinned several times.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
recipesforourdailybread
ouramericantravels
Diana Hansen says
Very cool!!
Krista Low says
This bread looks so fun and festive. I have seen variations of this but never made any. What a fun Easter tradition!
Allie Bobe says
Hi there, I've featured your Easter Bread on Worthwhile Wednesdays,
Ronda Eagle says
Hi! What a great Easter bread. I do a similar Portuguese Sweet Bread - so fun and delicious. Thanks for stopping by #TheWeekendSocial and linking up! I have pinned, stumbled and shared your link across social media. I hope to see you again next week!
Kathi Riemer says
I am going to make this tomorrow. Thank you for sharing!
Kathi
Joanne DiPalo says
My aunt always made the Easter Bread. I never thought to try it but you make it look so easy. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe Lois. Pinned/shared.
Leslie Tally says
How creative! I love it! Just found you at the Turn for Us blog party. Thanks so much for sharing!
~Leslie
Cathy McInnes says
I love Easter bread and yours looks perfect! Checking this out from Artsy corner Thursday! Yummy!
Cathy
Sugar Cookies to Peterbilts says
Lois, This has to be the most beautiful Easter bread ever! I think I have to make it 🙂
Maria says
Your Easter bread looks great! I've made this bread a couple of times too, my husband's Italian side of the family makes it, so I started making it too after we got married! Happy Easter to you! 🙂
Crochet Hooks says
looks yummy! i love the little eggs sticking their heads out of the bread - maybe checking if they can escape without being eaten lol 🙂
FoodtasticMom says
I have seen lots of versions of this and keep wondering if I should try it myself. I'm stopping over from Buns in my Oven. I like your pictures. It's helpful to see how to assemble this. Pinning and I think I might try it this year! 🙂
Wendy Klik says
I am so glad I stopped by from Wednesday Whatsits. I have always wondered how you managed to get the hardboiled eggs into the loaf and now I know. I can't wait to add this addition to our Easter menu. Thanks!!
Rachael Yerkes says
How fun. I have never seen this before. What a cool idea. I will definitely have to give this a try.
Beth says
The bread looksso goo! Thank you for the recipe!
Marlys Folly says
This sounds and looks wonderful Lois. Pinning and SU