Sicilian Easter Bread Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a large saucepan, heat milk and 2 tablespoons butter to 120°-130°. Add dry ingredients; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs; mix well. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. 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. Knead in fruit, almonds and aniseed until blended. Let rest for 10 minutes. Divide dough in half. Shape each portion into a 24-in. rope. Loosely twist ropes together; place on a greased baking sheet and form into a ring. Pinch ends together. Melt remaining butter; brush over dough. Gently separate ropes and tuck dyed eggs into openings. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 40 minutes., Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. For glaze, in a bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over bread. Sprinkle with candies if desired.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, mahlepi, sugar, and salt.
• Mix eggs, olive oil, milk and vanilla.
• Beat into flour mixture with spoon until satiny.
• Pour batter into 9" greased pie plate or cake pan.
• Top with egg wash and almonds or sprinkles.
• Press egg or eggs in center.
• Bake 55 minutes or so until skewer comes out dry.
• Cool in pan on rack 10 minutes and unmold.