Easter Egg Bread

"I remember as a child my mom would make Easter Egg Bread and it was always so beautiful I didn't want to cut into it. I've been missing it for a few years now & decided it was finally time to make it for myself. I found a few basic recipes online and played around with a combination of those and my original recipe for Recipe #293120 and this was the final result. I also wanted to bring a little Spring into it using fresh lemon zest and topped with a lemon glaze. It's best served the day it's made and a perfect compliment to your tea or coffee at Easter brunch. Ingredient list and directions include coloring the eggs."
 
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photo by Tinkerbell photo by Tinkerbell
photo by Tinkerbell
Ready In:
3hrs 20mins
Ingredients:
13
Yields:
1 loaf
Serves:
8-12
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ingredients

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directions

  • In bowl of stand mixer fitted with dough hook attachment (can be done by hand), combine 2 cups of the flour and the yeast.
  • In small saucepan on the stove, combine 2 Tablespoons of the butter, salt, sugar and milk. Heat on medium just until butter is nearly melted.
  • Add hot mixture to flour and yeast. Begin mixing on low - medium speed. Add two of the eggs, one at a time mixing well inbetween. Add the lemon zest, reserving the whole lemon for the glaze.
  • Begin adding small amounts of flour, approximately another 1-1/2 cups total or until the dough is only slightly sticky when poked with a finger, but can be formed into a ball without sticking to your hands.
  • Form into a ball and place smooth side down in a greased bowl (I just spray the mixer bowl with non-stick cooking spray) and then turn the dough over so the smooth side is now on top. Cover with a damp kitchen towel and place in a warm area to rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • While dough is rising, gently wash the outsides of the other 5 eggs. Fill 5 coffee mugs or deep bowls with a cup or so of water and one teaspoon each of vinegar. Add about 3 drops of food coloring to each cup or until it's the shade you like, then stir and gently lower one egg into each color. Let sit for 15-30 minutes or until the desired shade has been reached. Remove with slotted spoon (I use a pasta fork) to a dry paper towel and allow to dry.
  • When dough is double in size, punch down in the center, turn out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into two balls. Cover with damp towel or foil and let rest for 10 minutes.
  • Roll each ball into a long rope, approximately 26-30 inches long. Place side by side on a greased cookie sheet and very loosely twist them together and then form the whole thing into a circle, pinching the ends together.
  • Gently make openings in the dough twists and insert one egg into each opening. (Try to keep the eggs from touching the cookie sheet so they don't get scorched during baking.) Cover with damp towel and allow to rise until doubled again. Approximately 45 mintues.
  • At about 30 minutes of rising time, preheat the oven to 350°.
  • When dough has doubled, melt the last two Tablespoons of butter and brush over loaf.
  • Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until loaf is nicely browned. You may want to cover loosely with foil the last 10-15 minutes to avoid over-browning.
  • In small bowl stir together the confectioner's sugar, milk and about 2 teaspoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice. Beat till smooth, adding more juice or sugar until a thick but still liquid consistency is reached. Spread or pour glaze over loaf. Can serve immediately or cool and use as a centerpiece first.
  • (The eggs will be hard-cooked after baking and are safe to eat.).

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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

Hi! I am happily married with two children, 26 and 12. For nearly 10 years when this site was Recipezaar and then Food.com I hosted several different forums. I enjoyed making, creating, reviewing, and photographing recipes, but what I miss the most are the friendships I made here. I was Food Editor for the Mill Creek View Newspaper in Mill Creek, WA. for about 4 years during that time. Currently I am the office manager at a small mental health clinic. I'm not on this site much anymore, but I do continue to appreciate and respond to all reviews posted to my recipes.
 
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