Easter Bread Colored Eggs (Printable)
Soft, braided bread decorated with colorful eggs and hints of vanilla and citrus zest.
# Ingredient List:
→ Dough
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
04 - 1/2 cup whole milk, lukewarm
05 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
06 - 3 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
09 - Zest of 1 lemon or orange
→ Decoration
10 - 5–6 raw eggs, dyed with food coloring
11 - 1 egg yolk, beaten
12 - 1 tbsp milk
13 - Colored sprinkles
# Steps:
01 - Combine lukewarm milk with 1 tablespoon sugar and yeast in a small bowl. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
02 - Whisk flour, remaining sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add yeast mixture, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and citrus zest.
03 - Mix until soft dough forms. Knead on floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm place for 1–1.5 hours until doubled.
05 - Punch down dough and divide into 3 equal pieces. Roll each into a 16-inch rope.
06 - Braid ropes together and form into a ring or leave straight. Pinch ends to seal.
07 - Transfer braid to parchment-lined baking sheet. Nestle dyed eggs evenly into braid. Cover and rise 30–45 minutes.
08 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
09 - Mix egg yolk with milk. Brush bread avoiding colored eggs. Add sprinkles if desired.
10 - Bake for 28–32 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
11 - Cool on wire rack before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The braided beauty makes it a showstopping centerpiece that tastes even better than it looks
- Foolproof steps that guarantee soft, tender bread every single time
02 -
- Raw eggs placed in the dough will bake perfectly alongside the bread, so no need to pre-boil them
- Overworking the dough after the second rise can deflate all your hard work, so handle it gently when tucking in the eggs
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable for even rising and proper texture
- A light dusting of flour during kneading prevents sticking without making the bread dry