Easter Bread: A Beautiful & Traditional Holiday Treat
Easter Bread is a gorgeous, golden-brown braided loaf that’s just as delicious as it looks. Soft, slightly sweet, and rich with eggs and butter, this festive bread is a beloved tradition during the holiday season. Often decorated with vibrant dyed eggs nestled into its braids, it makes a stunning centerpiece for Easter brunch and is perfect for enjoying on its own or with a drizzle of sweet glaze.
Easter Bread
Making Easter Bread from scratch is easier than you might think! The dough comes together with simple pantry ingredients, and while the braiding may look fancy, it’s surprisingly simple once you get the hang of it. Whether you’re baking this for the first time or continuing a family tradition, the process of shaping and decorating the loaf makes it a fun and rewarding experience.
A Perfect Blend of Soft, Sweet, & Buttery Flavors
This Easter Bread is soft, fluffy, and lightly sweet, with just a hint of citrus from the optional glaze. The golden raisins add a little extra sweetness and texture, but you can easily customize it with your favorite mix-ins. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or toasted with a bit of butter the next day, this bread is a must-have for the Easter season!
What Is The History Of Easter Bread
Easter Bread has been a beloved tradition for centuries, with roots in Italian, Greek, and Eastern European cultures. In many traditions, the bread’s braided shape symbolizes the crown of thorns, while the eggs represent rebirth and new life. Each country has its own variation—Italians make Pane di Pasqua, often flavored with anise and decorated with sprinkles, while Greek Tsoureki includes a hint of orange zest and mahleb spice. No matter the version, Easter Bread is a meaningful and delicious way to celebrate the season!
What You Will Love About This Recipe
✅ Soft & Fluffy Texture – Light, airy, and buttery with just the right amount of sweetness.
✅ Perfect for Easter Brunch – A show-stopping centerpiece for any holiday table.
✅ Traditional & Fun to Make – A great recipe to bake with kids and family.
✅ Customizable – Swap out raisins for dried cranberries, add citrus zest, or use a flavored glaze.
✅ Great for Leftovers – Makes amazing French toast the next day!
How to make Traditional Easter Bread
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Place 2 tablespoons of butter into a microwave-safe container with the milk. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Check the temperature with an instant read thermometer. If the milk has not reached 110 degrees, return to the microwave for an additional 10 seconds.
- Pour the milk into the mixing bowl and beat until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, and continue beating until the mixture is smooth.
- Begin adding flour in small scoops until a soft dough is formed.
- Switch the mixing hook for a dough hook and knead the dough on medium speed for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Transfer dough to an oiled bowl and turn once. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place free of drafts, for approximately 1 hour, until it has doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough to deflate the air. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat flat. Sprinkle with raisins and knead to combine.
- Divide the dough into three equal pieces.
- Roll each piece of dough into a long rope by running your hands over the dough pushing the dough from the center to the ends as you move your hands forward and backward over the dough. If the dough continues to be too elastic to retain its length, allow the dough to relax while you work on a different piece. Dough strands should be approximately 20 inches long.
- Line the strands parallel to one another. Squeeze one side of the ends together.
- To braid, start with the third strand from the left. Gently pass the strand over the 2nd strand and under the 1st strand, like a basic basketweave. Then, move to the strand all the way to the right and begin weaving over and under each strand until it reaches the left. Repeat with additional strands (about twice) until the bread is braided. Shape into a wreath and squeeze the ends together, tucking the squeezed ends under the bread.
- Tuck the uncooked, dyed eggs between the braids.
- Carefully transfer the bread to a parchment lined baking sheet or large baking stone. Loosely cover the bread with a towel. Place in a warm spot, free of drafts, and allow to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Melt the remaining butter. Brush the melted butter over the bread, evenly coating the bread.
- Place the bread in the oven and cook for 30 to 35 minutes. Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing and serving.
- If using the optional glaze, allow the bread to cool first. Mix all ingredients together and spoon over the bread. Add sprinkles if desired.
Tips & Tricks
- ⭐ Use Fresh Yeast – Make sure your yeast is active for the best rise. If in doubt, proof it in warm milk with a pinch of sugar before adding it to the dough.
- ⭐ Knead Until Smooth – The dough should be soft and elastic. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
- ⭐ Let the Dough Rest – If the dough keeps shrinking when rolling out the strands, let it relax for a few minutes before trying again.
- ⭐ Dye the Eggs in Advance – Uncooked, dyed eggs will bake along with the bread, creating a stunning final presentation.
- ⭐ Don’t Overbake – The bread should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- ⭐ Glaze or No Glaze? – If you prefer a sweeter bread, drizzle with the optional lemon glaze and top with festive sprinkles!
FAQs
Easter Bread
Easter Bread is a symbolic braided bread typically served around Easter in the shape of a crown with raw colored eggs on top that are baked into the bread that is then topped with a warm glaze and sprinkles. This is a light airy bread the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 3 to 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon golden raisins
- 4 uncooked but dyed eggs
- For the optional glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons milk
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Place 2 tablespoons of butter into a microwave-safe container with the milk. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Check the temperature with an instant read thermometer. If the milk has not reached 110 degrees, return to the microwave for an additional 10 seconds.
- Pour the milk into the mixing bowl and beat until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, and continue beating until the mixture is smooth.
- Begin adding flour in small scoops until a soft dough is formed.
- Switch the mixing hook for a dough hook and knead the dough on medium speed for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Transfer dough to an oiled bowl and turn once. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place free of drafts, for approximately 1 hour, until it has doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough to deflate the air. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat flat. Sprinkle with raisins and knead to combine.
- Divide the dough into three equal pieces.
- Roll each piece of dough into a long rope by running your hands over the dough pushing the dough from the center to the ends as you move your hands forward and backward over the dough. If the dough continues to be too elastic to retain its length, allow the dough to relax while you work on a different piece. Dough strands should be approximately 20 inches long.
- Line the strands parallel to one another. Squeeze one side of the ends together.
- To braid, start with the third strand from the left. Gently pass the strand over the 2nd strand and under the 1st strand, like a basic basketweave. Then, move to the strand all the way to the right and begin weaving over and under each strand until it reaches the left. Repeat with additional strands (about twice) until the bread is braided. Shape into a wreath and squeeze the ends together, tucking the squeezed ends under the bread.
- Tuck the uncooked, dyed eggs between the braids.
- Carefully transfer the bread to a parchment lined baking sheet or large baking stone. Loosely cover the bread with a towel. Place in a warm spot, free of drafts, and allow to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Melt the remaining butter. Brush the melted butter over the bread, evenly coating the bread.
- Place the bread in the oven and cook for 30 to 35 minutes. Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing and serving.
- If using the optional glaze, allow the bread to cool first. Mix all ingredients together and spoon over the bread. Add sprinkles if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 570Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 246mgCarbohydrates: 110gFiber: 4gSugar: 16gProtein: 16g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
