Sicilian Easter Bread
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Recipe Intro From lisathompson
This whimsical Italian Easter bread is how my family has celebrated the Easter holiday for the past 65 years (at least!) The dough is enriched with sugar, butter, and eggs much like challah or brioche, but is less sweet and less rich, making it the perfect vehicle for a swipe of softened butter. This bread keeps well at room temperature for up to 3 days, and any leftovers can be used to make amazing french toast.
Recipe Description
We typically make about 8 or 9 breads to give to friends and neighbors, carefully assessing who gets a plain and who gets a chocolate chip-walnut, and have been known to ship them to lucky family members who live cross-country.
Note: To make the chocolate-walnut variation, add 6 ounces (1 heaping cup) chopped dark chocolate and ½ cup chopped walnuts to the dough at the end of step 3.
- Recipe Notes
- FAQs
- How to Shape an Italian Easter Bread
- Recipe Card
Recipe Notes
For the Dyed Eggs: You’ll need some dyed eggs to tuck into the dough before baking, so be sure to plan ahead. In my family's original recipe, the eggs serve only decoration and aren’t eaten, but in the spirit of reducing food waste, these can be peeled and eaten the same day they’re baked.
Look Familiar?: Italians aren't the only ones who make festive breads for Easter. You can find unique versions in Ukraine, Greece, and Portugal, among others. Some say the origins of the Italian Easter Bread come from the Jewish populations in Italy. Though, most modern Italian recipes contain eggs, butter, and milk, and are not kosher.
FAQs
What is Italian Easter bread made of?
Italian and Sicilian Easter bread is a yeasted dough enriched with butter, eggs, milk, and sugar. It is common to tuck colorful eggs into the dough before baking.
What do Italians in Italy eat for Easter?
There are many traditional dishes consumed throughout Italy to celebrate the Easter season. Some examples are Italian Easter Bread (also known as Pane di Pasqua or Ciambella), Torta Pasqualina (a savory ricotta and greens filled pie), Torta di Pasqua (made a sweet ricotta and rice cheesecake), and Colomba (another enriched yeasted dough in the shape of a dove).
Why does Easter bread have an egg?
The eggs have religious origins, but many use colorful eggs simply for decoration.
How to Shape an Italian Easter Bread
Recipe Card
ingredients
- 1 (1/4 ounce) packet active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk, divided
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour (plus more as needed)
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 dyed raw eggs
- Multicolored sprinkles, for decoration (optional but strongly suggested)
- Softened butter, for serving
For the Chocolate-Walnut Variation
ingredients
- 6 ounces (1 heaping cup) chopped semi-sweet or dark chocolate
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Make the Dough
Method
Step 1
Bloom the yeast with warm water and a pinch of sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer until foamy, about 10 minutes.
Step 2
Meanwhile, heat ⅔ cup milk and butter in a small saucepan over low heat until butter is just melted, then remove from heat and stir in sugar. Add warm milk mixture to the bloomed yeast and stir to combine.
Step 3
Add 2 cups flour, salt, and cinnamon to the bowl and mix on low using the dough hook attachment until no patches of flour remain. Add 2 eggs and vanilla and stir until incorporated, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add remaining 1 ½ cups flour and stir until a smooth dough forms (dough will be fairly sticky). If the mixture feels too wet, add in more flour 1 tablespoon at a time, up to an additional ¼ cup. (If making the chocolate-walnut variation, stir in the chocolate and chopped walnuts at this time).
First Rise
Step 1
Transfer dough to a large, lightly greased bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Allow to rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 2 hours. Note: if it is below 70F degrees in your kitchen, try proofing the dough inside the oven with the light turned on to create a warmer environment.
Braid the Dough
Step 1
Once dough is doubled in size, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Carefully stretch and fold all four sides in towards the center, then roll into a tight ball. Cut dough into 3 equal pieces, then gently stretch and roll each piece into a 24” strand (Note: if the dough feels tight and springs back after stretching, cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rest for 10 minutes, then proceed).
Step 2
Braid the strands together, then form a circle by bringing the ends together and tuck the corresponding ends into each other to create a seamless braid. Carefully transfer braided dough to prepared baking sheet, then cover with a clean kitchen towel.
Second Rise + Decorate
Step 1
Make the egg wash by whisking 1 egg with remaining 1 tablespoon milk in a small bowl until well combined.
Step 2
Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
Step 3
Brush dough with an even layer of egg wash. Gently tuck dyed eggs into the braid (this is a good way to hide any seams!) Top with sprinkles, if using.
Bake
Step 1
Bake for about 25 minutes, rotating halfway through, until bread is a golden brown and sounds hollow when you knock on it. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before slicing and serving with softened butter.
Step 2
Store bread wrapped tightly in aluminum foil for up to 3 days.