Sicilian Easter Bread

An easy to make, traditional Easter cake that reveals Sicily's Greek religious heritage. Mahlepi or mahleb is a Greek spice found in Greek or Middle Eastern specialty shops or possibly online. You may top the cake with raw white or red dyed eggs....Delicious with espresso ..... Buona Pasqua!

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Serves: 4-6
• Yields: 1 loaf

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 cups flour
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1  pinch salt (about 1/8 tsp)
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 2  eggs, lightly beaten
• 3⁄4 cup milk
• 1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1  teaspoon  ground  mahlepi (or mahleb)
• 1  eggs or 3  eggs, uncooked
• 1  egg beaten with 1 tsp milk for  egg wash
•  sliced almonds or   colored sprinkles, for sprinkling top

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, mahlepi, sugar, and salt.
3. Mix eggs, olive oil, milk and vanilla.
4. Beat into flour mixture with spoon until satiny.
5. Pour batter into 9" greased pie plate or cake pan.
6. Top with egg wash and almonds or sprinkles.
7. Press egg or eggs in center.
8. Bake 55 minutes or so until skewer comes out dry.
9. Cool in pan on rack 10 minutes and unmold.