Italian Easter Sweet Bread Recipe

Step 1

Dye the eggs: Pour ½ - ¾ cup of water into each cup or bowl and add 1 ½ teaspoons of white vinegar into each bowl. Generously add some liquid food coloring to each bowl and stir. Add 1 uncooked egg to each bowl and allow them to soak until the colors are bright. Once they are the desired color, remove them from the bowl and set them aside to dry.

Step 2

Bread dough: In a microwave-safe mixing bowl, heat the milk with the butter for 1 minute on high. The milk will be steaming and should be between 100°- 110°F.

Step 3

Add the sugar and yeast, stir to combine. Let stand for 5 minutes, the yeast will be frothy and have a lovely earthy smell to it.

Step 4

Once the yeast has bloomed, add the mixture to the bowl of your stand mixer.  Add 2 eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest, lemon zest and salt.  Use the dough hook to stir together on medium speed.

Step 5

Add one cup of flour and beat on medium speed for a couple of minutes.  Continue adding the flour slowly until a soft dough starts to come together. Be patient as this may take 5-6 minutes. The dough should clean the sides of the bowl and stick to the bottom in a small circle about the size of a quarter. Set a timer and knead 3 more minutes.

Step 6

Rest & rise: Spray a large bowl with cooking spray and place the dough into the bowl. Cover it and place in a warm spot to rise for 1 hour.

Step 7

Prepare a baking sheet or pizza tray by lining it with parchment paper. Once risen, punch down the dough and turn it out on a floured surface.

Step 8

Divide the dough into 3 portions, roll each portion into a 2 foot rope. Pinch three ends of the dough ropes together and braid the dough. Pinch the bottom together to hold the braid. Bring the pinched ends of the braid together creating a circular loaf on the prepared cookie sheet. Pinch together the ends and tuck them under.

Step 9

Nestle the colored eggs in between the ropes of the dough. Cover with a towel and let rise for an additional 30 minutes.

Step 10

Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Beat the 1 remaining egg with a tablespoon of water, brush the risen bread with the egg wash.

Step 11

Place the bread pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The outside of the bread will be a beautiful golden brown color. Transfer to a cooling rack to fully cool.

Step 12

Glaze: In a small mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of milk and whisk together. If needed, add more milk 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach a pourable consistency.

Step 13

Drizzle the glaze over the top of the bread, avoiding the eggs. Before the glaze has time to dry, add some brightly colored sprinkles to the top. Enjoy!