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My Easter Bread: soft, sweet, and festive!

My Easter Bread: soft, sweet, and festive! Easy braided recipe with glaze, serves 10, ready in 4 hrs.

My Easter Bread: soft, sweet, and festive! Easy braided recipe with glaze, serves 10, ready in 4 hrs.

Ingredients

Scale

Here’s what I use to make this Easter Bread, clear and simple. This list is my guide for a loaf of pure delight, with easy-to-find items. Let’s get baking!

  • ¼ cup warm water (about 110°F)
  • 1 Tbsp. active dry yeast (from 2 ¼-oz. packets)
  • ¾ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 large eggs, divided
  • 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the surface
  • 2 ½ tsp. salt
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 4 dyed uncooked eggs, at room temperature (optional)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. whole milk, plus more as needed
  • Rainbow sprinkles, for topping (optional)

These amounts yield a perfect loaf—soft and festive for 10 servings. The 4 ½ cups flour and 3 eggs are my ideal mix. It’s a list that delivers big flavor.

The measurements are spot-on for the texture I love, with room to tweak. I can adjust for a smaller loaf—adapts effortlessly. This is my key to bread magic!

Instructions

I start by stirring ¼ cup warm water and 1 Tbsp. yeast in a small bowl—let it foam for 5 minutes, my yeast wakes up. In a stand mixer with the dough hook, I mix the yeast, ¾ cup warm milk, ½ cup sugar, 6 Tbsp. melted butter, and 2 beaten eggs—beat 30 seconds on medium-low, my base blends. I add 4 ½ cups flour and 2 ½ tsp. salt—stir with a spatula, then beat 5 minutes on medium until smooth, my dough shines.

I transfer it to a greased bowl—cover with plastic wrap and let rise 1-1 ½ hours until doubled, my bread grows. I turn it onto a floured surface—divide into 3 ropes, braid them, pinch the ends, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, my shape forms. I tuck in 4 dyed eggs—cover and rise 30-45 minutes, my loaf puffs up.

I preheat the oven to 350°F during the last 30 minutes—brush with 1 beaten egg, my glaze is set. I bake 28-32 minutes until golden—cool on the rack with parchment for 1 ½ hours, my bread rests. I whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 Tbsp. milk—drizzle over the loaf, sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles, each slice is a delight that makes me smile.

This process fills me with pride every time—simple steps, big joy! My kitchen smells of Easter cheer. I serve it fresh—festive bliss is ready!