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YeastItalianBread

Italian Easter Bread

Maria Boyer
2 large loaves (or 4 small loaves), approximately 10 servings
Intermediate

When my mother made this for our family of five, she would split the recipe in half and make 2 small loaves.

Total Steps

10

Ingredients

14

Tools Needed

6

Ingredients

  • 1 packet cake <a href="/X3KSXFQ4">yeast</a>
  • 1 tablespoon <a href="/NHPT57DF">vegetable oil</a>
  • 1 dozen large <a href="/2PVT278D">eggs</a>
  • 0 juice of 1 <a href="/Y5K7YSXM">lemon</a>
  • 1 pinch <a href="/XBPNFKYS">salt</a>
  • 1.5 cup <a href="/6H6G87VP">sugar</a>
  • 1 ounce <a href="/HZDR4WYS">anisette</a>
  • 0.5 cup candied <a href="/7CCWN66R">citron,</a> chopped (optional)
  • 3.5 pound (14 cups) <a href="/4YMSSPXL">flour</a>
  • 10 small colored <a href="/2PVT278D">eggs </a>(optional)
  • 0.5 cup <a href="/QZYNNXBY">powdered sugar</a>
  • 2 tablespoon <a href="/FPQGTBZG">milk</a>
  • 1 teaspoon <a href="/SZC3QLP7">vanilla extract</a>
  • 0 colored candies (optional)

Instructions

1

Step 1

<a href="/PXKXVQTM">Dissolve </a><a href="/HF7TLMS7">yeast </a>in a little <a href="/FVYNJCCW">warm </a>water. Add oil and set aside.

2

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine eggs, lemon <a href="/QDWRNXYW">juice,</a> <a href="/DPSVTKVY">salt,</a> sugar, anisette, and citron if desired. <a href="/7S3QCKWK">Mix </a>with your hands.

3

Step 3

Add in <a href="/HF7TLMS7">yeast </a>mixture and flour. <a href="/FZZDJ42W">Knead </a>well.

4

Step 4

Set in a <a href="/FVYNJCCW">warm </a>place. Let rise till double - about 1 hour.

5

Step 5

Punch down, let rise another hour.

6

Step 6

Shape into two large loaves, or to create a traditional braided Easter <a href="/482ZKJDV">Bread,</a> <a href="/WRFN6T6X">separate </a>the dough into four equal parts. <a href="/LTNN8R88">Roll </a>each part to about 36 inches long and 1-1/2 inches thick.

7

Step 7

Using two long pieces of dough, form a loosely braided ring, leaving spaces for five <a href="/HT4RHHGB">colored </a>(uncooked) eggs. <a href="/K4VJ7RZ7">Seal </a>the ends of the ring together and use your fingers to slide the eggs between the braids of dough.

8

Step 8

Repeat with remaining <a href="/LTNN8R88">rolled </a>dough.

9

Step 9

<a href="/RNT367Z2">Bake </a>at 350 degrees until <a href="/D434P8MH">brown,</a> less than 1 hour.

10

Step 10

While still <a href="/FVYNJCCW">warm,</a> <a href="/3BL7DPJ8">glaze </a>with thin <a href="/RP8LCDPZ">icing </a>of powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Add <a href="/HT4RHHGB">colored </a>candies, if desired.

Tools & Equipment

large bowl
hands
measuring cups
measuring spoons
baking pan
oven

Tags

YeastItalianBread

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