Italian easter bread

Italian easter bread

Ingredients/Components

• sugar - 1 c
• eggs - 6 item
• milk - 1 c
• salt - 1/2 tsp
• flour - 7 to
• dry yeast - 2 pkg
• very warm water - 1/2 c
• butter 1 1/2 sticks - 3/4 c
• hard-cooked eggs, dyed in Easter colors - 4 item
• melted butter for glaze - 1 item

How to make italian easter bread:

Sprinkle water over yeast. Stir to dissolve. Let stand until bubbly, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat milk in a saucepan over low heat until lukewarm. Beat together butter, sugar and salt in a large bowl until light and creamy. Beat in eggs; beat well. Add yeast mixture and warm milk. Gradually add enough flour to make a soft dough. Turn dough onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic; about 10 minutes. Use more flour if necessary to prevent dough from sticking. Place dough in large greased bowl; turn to bring greased side up. Cover and let rise in warm place, away from drafts for 1 hour or until double in bulk. Punch dough down. Turn out onto floured surface. Knead lightly. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces. Braid 3 together. Place on cookie sheet. Braid 3 more and place on top of the first braid. Place a hard-cooked egg in center of top loaf. Roll a piece of dough into a thin rope. Place over egg like a cross. Cover and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes. Beat an egg yolk with 2 tablespoons water and brush over bread before baking. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden. Brush with butter.

Recipe categories: Breads, Pasta, rice and grains, Italian.