Last Easter, I was on a mission to find the perfect Easter bread recipe. I tried a random recipe I found online, but the result wasn’t quite up to par. Undeterred, I tried another recipe, but it still didn’t meet my expectations.
Determined to create the best possible Easter bread recipe, I made several modifications to the recipes I had tried. After many attempts, I finally landed on the perfect combination of ingredients and the quickest and easiest method.
So, without further ado, I present to you a quick and easy-to-follow Easter bread recipe that’s sure to delight your taste buds. With this recipe, you can enjoy delicious, homemade Easter bread that’s both fluffy and moist.
Give it a try and let me know what you think! I’m confident that this recipe will become a new Easter favorite in your household. 🐣
- 3 3/4 cups sifted flour
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 1 package yeast (or the quantity which is enough for 500 g /3 cups flour according to the yeast package instructions)
- 3 raw eggs + 1 egg yolk (to brush on top)
- ⅔ cup warm milk
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil + 5-6 tbsp to add while kneading
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp orange extract (or zest from half an orange)
- ½ tsp lemon extract (or zest from half a lemon)
- 1 tbsp whiskey
- 1 tbsp rum
- pinch of salt
- 3 dyed Easter eggs, raw or hard boiled
- Sprinkles for topping
- In a small bowl add 5-6 tbsp warm milk, 1-2 tbsp sugar and the yeast. Let it sit to allow the yeast to activate.
- In a separate bowl dissolve ⅔ cup brown sugar in the rest of the warm milk.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer add 3 eggs, the milk and sugar mixture, 1 tsp vanilla extract, ½ tsp orange extract (or zest from half an orange), ½ tsp lemon extract (or zest from half a lemon), 1 tbsp whiskey and 1 tbsp rum. Combine at medium speed until smooth.
- Add 1 ½ cups flour, a pinch of salt and the activated yeast mixture. Combine until it looks like a cake mixture.
- Add the rest of the flour and ⅓ cup vegetable oil. Attach a dough hook to the stand mixer and knead at medium speed while scraping the sides as needed.
- Place the dough on an oiled board and hand knead by folding the dough for about 5 minutes while adding 5-6 tbsp vegetable oil.
- Place the dough in a bowl. Cover and put it in the oven at 50° C (120° F). Let it rise for about 30 mins.
- Divide the dough into 3 pieces. Roll each piece to form a rope.
- Braid the 3 ropes and loop into a circle. Join the ends together.
- Place the 3 dyed Easter eggs into the braid (take a look at the video below).
- Put it in the oven at 50° C (120° F). Let it rise for another 30 mins.
- Bake for 20-30 mins at 180° C (356° F).
- When it is almost ready, brush it with 1 egg yolk and top it with sprinkles if desired.
- Let it bake for another 3-5 mins.
