Braided Easter Bread is a traditional sweet bread that is typically made around Easter time. It often features a soft, aromatic dough with a hint of citrus and is commonly decorated with colorful sprinkles or dyed eggs for a festive touch.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast or one packet
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 cup milk warm
- 2 eggs beaten, plus 1 for egg wash
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Mix well.
- Add melted butter, warm milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and lemon zest to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the remaining flour and knead on a lightly floured surface until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Punch the dough down, then divide it into three equal parts. Roll each part into a long rope and braid them together.
- Place the braided dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover, and let it rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the bread with beaten egg and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 5gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 220mgPotassium: 60mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 10mg