The Best Easter Bread Recipe: Soft, Sweet, and Perfectly Fluffy

The holiday of Easter is all about family, traditions, and food, of course. And Easter bread is a great way to celebrate it! This traditional recipe will make your Easter table look nice and taste great. You can eat it for breakfast, dessert, or just as a snack during the day. With sprinkles on top and colored eggs woven through it, it's the perfect mix of fun and taste!

The best part? It's really easy to make Easter bread! Get together with family or friends and try this meal. Yes, even the kids can help. No matter how much you know about yeast or how new you are to baking, this step-by-step guide will help you make the best, fluffiest Easter bread in just a few hours. Now, let's get into it!

What Is Easter Bread?

Easter bread, also known as Pane di Pasqua, is a traditional sweet bread that’s commonly served during Easter celebrations in many cultures, particularly in Italy and Greece. The bread is often shaped into a braided wreath or loaf, symbolizing the rebirth and renewal of the Easter season. Topping the bread with dyed Easter eggs adds a festive touch, and the sprinkles? Well, they’re just for fun—and who doesn’t love a little extra sweetness?

What sets Easter bread apart from other types of bread is its soft, airy texture and subtly sweet flavor. It’s often enjoyed with a pat of butter or a drizzle of honey, though it’s just as good on its own. Also, it’s perfect for breakfast or as a sweet addition to your Easter brunch spread.

Why You'll Love This Easter Bread Recipe

It’s super soft and fluffy: Thanks to a rich dough made with butter, eggs, and milk, this bread bakes up incredibly soft and tender.
It’s slightly sweet: The touch of sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness without being overpowering.
It’s decorative and festive: Braiding the dough and adding dyed Easter eggs makes this bread a showstopper. It’s the perfect centerpiece for your Easter table!
It’s fun to make: Kneading, braiding, and decorating the bread is an enjoyable process, especially if you involve the kids. Plus, you get to eat it at the end!

Ingredients

1 Cup milk
1/2 Cup unsalted butter
1 Package (0.25 oz.) active dry yeast
1/8 Teaspoon salt
1/2 Cup granulated sugar
2 Eggs, beaten
4 Cups all-purpose flour
1 Large egg, beaten, plus 1 teaspoon of water
3 Dyed Easter eggs
Colored sprinkles

How to Make Easter Bread?

Step 1: Prepare the Yeast Mixture

In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and the yeast. Stir gently, and let the mixture sit for about 8 minutes until it becomes frothy. This is how you know your yeast is alive and ready to make your bread rise. If it doesn’t foam, the yeast may be expired, and you’ll need to start over with fresh yeast.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the flour, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and the beaten eggs to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until the dough starts to come together.

Once the dough forms, increase the speed to medium-high and gradually add the butter, one tablespoon at a time. Mix for about 15 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 1.5 to 2 hours or until it has doubled in size.

Zulay Says: If your kitchen is chilly, place the bowl in an oven that’s turned off but with the oven light on. This creates a warm environment that helps the dough rise faster.

Step 4: Shape and Braid the Dough

Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down gently to release any air bubbles. Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces and roll each piece into a rope about 14 inches long.

Take two of the dough ropes and braid them together. Once braided, bring the ends of the braid together to form a circle. Press the ends firmly to seal. Repeat with the remaining ropes to create two more braided circles. Place the braided dough rings on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Braided bread dough to use for making Easter Bread.

Step 5: Add the Dyed Eggs

Press the dyed Easter eggs gently into the braids of the dough. You can either use raw or hard-boiled eggs. They’ll cook in the oven with the bread if using raw eggs. Cover the dough loosely with a kitchen towel and let it rise again for about 30 minutes or until it has puffed up slightly.

Step 6: Bake the Bread

While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Just before baking, brush the tops of the bread with the beaten egg and water mixture. This egg wash gives the bread its golden, glossy finish. Sprinkle generously with colored sprinkles for that festive Easter look.

Bake the bread for 20 to 25 minutes until it’s golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. If the bread starts browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil and continue baking.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Once the bread is done baking, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. While it’s tempting to dig in right away, letting it cool will allow the flavors to develop fully. Slice it up and enjoy it alone or with butter, jam, or honey!

Zulay's Expert Tips for Making the Best Easter Bread

The milk should be warm but not too hot, around 110°F (43°C). If it’s too hot, it can kill the yeast, and your dough won’t rise.
Whether you’re using a stand mixer or kneading by hand, make sure the dough is smooth and elastic. This helps develop gluten, which gives the bread its structure.
While sprinkles are a classic, feel free to add slivered almonds or pearl sugar for a more sophisticated look.
Use raw or hard-boiled eggs. Either work, but remember, if you use raw eggs, they’ll cook as the bread bakes.

Easter Bread Serving Suggestions

Breakfast or Brunch: Serve slices of Easter bread with butter, jam, or honey alongside coffee or tea.
Easter Dinner: Pair it with savory dishes like ham, roasted lamb, or a hearty stew.
Dessert: Dust it with powdered sugar and serve with a side of fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream.

Zulay's Final Thoughts

Easter bread is more on a tradition that brings people together. This bread is a must-make for your holiday celebration with its soft, fluffy texture, sweet flavor, and colorful decorations. So, grab your ingredients, gather your loved ones, and get ready to bake the best Easter bread of your life!

Let Us Know What You Think!

Tried this recipe? We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below sharing your thoughts, tips, or any fun twists you added to the recipe. And don’t forget to tag us on social media @ZulayKitchen using #kitchenhappiness—we love seeing your creations!