Easter Bread Wreath Colored Eggs (Printable)

Braided bread shaped into a wreath with colorful eggs, ideal for festive gatherings.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
04 - 3/4 cup whole milk, lukewarm
05 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
06 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
09 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Decoration

10 - 5-6 dyed raw eggs
11 - 2 tbsp milk for egg wash
12 - 1 tbsp granulated sugar (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Dissolve yeast in lukewarm milk with 1 tablespoon sugar. Let stand 5-10 minutes until foamy.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, remaining sugar, salt, and lemon zest.
03 - Pour yeast mixture, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla into dry ingredients. Mix until soft dough forms.
04 - Knead by hand or stand mixer for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
05 - Place dough in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1-1.5 hours.
06 - Punch down dough. Divide into 3 equal portions. Roll each into 20-inch ropes.
07 - Braid ropes together and shape into ring, pinching ends to seal.
08 - Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently tuck raw dyed eggs into braid, spacing evenly.
09 - Cover lightly and let rise 30-45 minutes until puffy.
10 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
11 - Brush dough with milk, avoiding eggs. Sprinkle with sugar if desired.
12 - Bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
13 - Cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The dough is impossibly soft and slightly sweet, making it irresistible even for people who dont usually like bread
  • Those colored eggs bake right into the wreath, creating the most stunning centerpiece that doubles as breakfast
  • Make it once and it will become your automatic Easter tradition, guaranteed
02 -
  • The eggs must be raw when you place them in the dough, or they'll turn rubbery during baking
  • Don't skip the lemon zest, it's the secret ingredient that makes this bread taste special
  • If your kitchen runs cold, the dough might take longer to rise, and that's completely normal
03 -
  • For extra flavor, add 1/2 tsp ground cardamom to the dry ingredients, it's a traditional European variation that's absolutely delicious
  • If you want an ultra-shiny crust, brush with a beaten egg mixed with a teaspoon of water instead of milk
  • The wreath freezes beautifully before baking, so you can make it weeks ahead and bake fresh on Easter morning

Go Back