Easter Bread Recipes

Steps:

• Pour 1/3 cup warm water (about 110 degrees F) into the bowl of a stand mixer. Gently whisk in the yeast, 1 tablespoon of the flour and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Set aside until bubbly, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until bubbles start to form around the edges, about 6 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the butter, the remaining sugar and the salt. Set aside to cool, about 10 minutes.
• Fit the mixer with the paddle attachment, set on medium-low speed and pour the milk mixture into the yeast mixture. Add the 2 beaten eggs. Gradually mix in the remaining flour, and beat until a soft dough forms. Increase the speed to medium-high, and beat until the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a ball, about 5 minutes (the dough will be sticky).
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, and knead, adding more flour as needed, until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Put the dough in a lightly buttered large bowl, cover and place in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Punch down the dough, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and cut it into 3 equal parts. Gently roll out each piece into a 16-inch-long rope. Transfer the ropes to the prepared baking sheet. Press the ropes together at one end, braid them, then gently tuck both ends under to form a long loaf. Cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush the entire loaf with the remaining beaten egg. Scatter the almonds and nonpareils on top, concentrating them down the middle of the loaf (they will spread as the loaf bakes). Bake until the loaf is dark golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped, 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool about 30 minutes before slicing.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water; set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs and yolks until lemon-colored; gradually add sugar. Add the butter, salt, vanilla, lemon juice and zest; beat well. Add milk and yeast mixture. Gradually add 6 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough., Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with raisins; knead for 5 minutes longer. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into thirds. Cover and let rest 10 minutes. Shape each portion into a loaf and place in greased 8x4-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 30 minutes. , Bake at 325° for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks.

Steps:

• Disolve yeast in warm water.
• Add 2 cups of the milk to the yeast/water.
• Sift in 2 cups of the flour.
• Beat until smooth and elastic with a wooden spoon or beaters.
• Cover and let rise for one hour.
• Beat egg yolks and sugar together until light.
• Add egg/sugar to dough, stirring well with wooden spoon.
• Add the salt, cardamom, orange and lemon peel, raisins and almonds (if using), stir well.
• Add the remaining milk (1 cup) and butter.
• Stir in the remaining flour until a stiff dough forms.
• Turn onto a floured bread board and knead until smooth and elastic (8-10 minutes).
• Place dough in greased bowl (I use a dutch oven), turn and cover with plastic wrap.
• Let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
• Grease 3 (1 pound) coffee cans and dust with sugar.
• Fill cans half full and let rise until dough is even with top of can (30 minutes).
• Bake in a preheated 350°Foven for 1 hour or until bread is golden and tests done.
• If desired, loaves can be iced with optional frosting.
• To make optional frosting, combine frosting ingredients (confectioners' sugar, water and almond extract).
• Drizzle over cooled loaves.