Braided Easter Bread

Recipe View Assemble your ingredients, ensuring everything is within easy reach. (5 minutes)

Recipe View In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup of the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast until thoroughly combined. This ensures even distribution of the dry ingredients. (2 minutes)

Recipe View In a small saucepan, gently heat the milk and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat until the butter is just melted and the milk is warm to the touch (about 110°F/43°C). Be careful not to scald the milk. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Gradually pour the warm milk mixture into the flour mixture, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add 1/2 cup of flour and the 2 large eggs; mix until well combined. Gradually add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour in three additions, stirring well after each, until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. (10 minutes)

Recipe View Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. (10 minutes)

Recipe View Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1-1.5 hours. (60-90 minutes)

Recipe View Once doubled, gently punch down the dough to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it in half. Gently form each half into a round, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes to relax the gluten. (15 minutes)

Recipe View Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a large baking sheet.

Recipe View Roll each dough round into a 36-inch-long rope, about 1 1/2 inches thick. Loosely twist the two ropes together and form them into a ring on the prepared baking sheet, leaving five evenly spaced gaps for the eggs. (15 minutes)

Recipe View Carefully seal the ends of the ring together. Gently nestle the whole, dyed (if using) eggs into the spaces in the dough. Cover the loaf loosely with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes, or until noticeably puffy. (45 minutes)

Recipe View Gently brush the risen loaf with the melted butter. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. (30 minutes)

Recipe View Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving. Enjoy! (20 minutes)