Italian Easter Bread

Time

Yield

1 loaves

Ingredients

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1 tsp. salt
2/3 cup warm milk (120-130°F)
2 tbsp. butter, softened
7 eggs
1/2 cup mixed candied fruit, chopped
1/4 cup blanched almonds, chopped
1/2 tsp. anise seed
Vegetable oil

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Add milk and butter; beat 2 minutes on medium. Add 2 eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes on high. Stir in fruit, nuts and anise seed; mix well. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured board; knead until smooth, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl; turn once. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled; about 1 hour. If desired, dye remaining eggs (Leave them uncooked); lightly rub with oil. Punch dough down. Divide in half; roll each piece into a 24 rope. Loosely twist ropes together; place on a greased baking sheet and form into a ring. Pinch ends together. Gently split ropes and tuck eggs into openings. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan; cool on a wire rack.

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1 Recipe Reviews

2nd  generation Italian

2nd generation Italian reviewed Italian Easter Bread on March 9, 2002

I've been searching the web for the recipe my great granmother always made and unfortunatly I alway find this one. I suspect it originated from the back of a package of yeast, because its everywhere! The original was called casatiello dolce and had a cake-like texture - nothing like american bread recipes.