4.62 from 34 votes

Italian Easter Bread

ByTrisha Haas Published: Updated:
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Italian Easter Bread is a Braided Bread with Bright colored Easter Eggs that makes a stunning display for holiday tables. 

Although delicious on its own, this sweet bread side dish can be served with icing or cinnamon butter and this recipe makes 4 individual Easter Bread nests for your family to enjoy. 

Individual Easter Bread nests with eggs inside

This recipe is perfect for a family of four, giving everyone their own braided bread, and we set the egg aside and smother roll in cinnamon butter before chowing down. 

This particular recipe is made without a bread maker or a mixer, but if you are an experienced baker, you can use them. Personally I always feel like the less cooking technology I use, the less chance I am going to have to mess it up, so I do breads the old fashioned way.

Remember, with bread recipes, you have to be patient. That yeast needs time to rise, which means you need to plan in advance to make. 

Italian Easter Bread Recipe

This Italian Easter bread recipe is for individual Easter breads for 4.

Ingredients

  • 4 raw eggs
  • egg coloring kit
  • 1 packet (0.25 oz) yeast
  • 3/4 cup warm milk
  • 1 stick, 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk (egg wash)

(Tip: Remove all watches and bracelets and rings before you start baking!) 

What Religious Breads Represent

When it comes to braided bread made for Easter there are many old traditions recipes can stem from.

In some cultures, braided breads were to symbolize the holy trinity when braided and the red dyed eggs the blood of Jesus. There are Challah breads and breads meant to just break for worship but out of all the ways bread is often used, this Italian Easter Bread (some say Greek) is my favorite.

Sweet, tasty and a beautiful centerpiece, Easter egg bread is easy to make, delicious to eat and gorgeous on the table. 

four mini Easter bread nests braided bread baked in the oven

Do you need to Boil your Eggs First? 

  • You do not need to boil eggs first! The eggs will cook while the bread is in the oven.

How to Make Italian Easter Bread

These braided egg breads are an individual serving for each person. I think they look totally cute and fun to eat. 

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Grease a mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  4. Use egg coloring kit to color 4 raw eggs. Set aside to dry completely.
  5. Place yeast and milk in a mixing bowl and mix well. Let set 10 minutes.
  6. Stir in butter, sugar, 2 beaten eggs, salt and vanilla.
bread without a bread maker and no anise
  1. Stir in flour, 1 cup at a time.
  2. After you have mixed all 4 cups, use your hands to carefully mix the dough to incorporate all the flour.
  3. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes. (Insert shoulder workout)
mixing up your dough very well
make sure flour is mixed into dough four cups
  1. Place dough into prepared greased mixing bowl.
  2. Cover dough with plastic wrap sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. Let set for 90 minutes or until twice the size.
  4. Punch the dough with your fist and divide into 4 equal parts.
  5. Divide each quarter in half and roll into a 12″ length, keeping the dough about 1″ thick.
let dough rise double its size with usage of yeast
cut puffy dough into four pieces
  1. Twist the two pieces of dough together to create a rope look.
  2. Connect the ends and press together to make a circle.
  3. Place dough on prepared baking sheet.
  4. Place raw colored egg in the center of the dough.
  5. Repeat until you have all four rounds.
  6. Now you need to let the dough rise again for approximately 20-30 minutes. Cover with coated clear wrap. 
  7. Carefully coat the dough with egg wash, avoiding the eggs.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
twist dough into nest and add raw egg
make all eggs and nests and put with egg wash

Italian Easter Bread Toppings

I love the simplicity of this Easter bread, but feel free to change it up with toppings. Its a sweet bread so any additions you make just add to it. 

Try topping with: 

  • dried fruits
  • simple icings (like this Orange Glaze or Lemon Glaze)
  • sprinkling of nuts like almond slivers
  • Cinnamon and Butter
  • Glaze and Sprinkles

Can you make the bread without the Eggs?

Even if its not Easter, you can make up this bread for a stunning bread side dish. Just leave out the eggs and continue with the recipe as is. 

How to Store Easter Bread

Put in an airtight container to avoid going stale. If you have left over bread you are not going to eat, you can use it to make French toast casserole. 

italian easter bread with bright colored easter eggs in center of pink, yellow, green, and blue.

More Easter Recipes

Here are a huge list of easter side dish recipes we recommend.

italian easter bread with bright colored easter eggs in center of pink, yellow, green, and blue.
4.62 from 34 votes
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Italian Easter Bread | Braided Egg Bread

Author Trisha Haas – Salty Side Dish

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
4 nests
Italian Easter Bread is a Braided Bread with Bright colored Easter Eggs, this sweet bread can be served with icing or cinnamon butter, recipe makes 4 individual Easter Bread nests.

Ingredients
 

  • 4 raw eggs
  • egg coloring kit
  • 1 packet 0.25 oz yeast
  • 3/4 cup warm milk
  • 1 stick butter softened
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk egg wash

Instructions

  • Grease a mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Use egg coloring kit to color 4 raw eggs. Set aside to dry completely.
  • Place yeast and milk in a mixing bowl and mix well. Let set 10 minutes.
  • Stir in butter, sugar, 2 beaten eggs, salt and vanilla.
  • Stir in flour, 1 cup at a time. After you have 4 cups, use your hands to carefully mix the dough to incorporate all the flour.
  • Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes. (Insert shoulder workout)
  • Place dough into prepared greased mixing bowl. Cover with plastic wrap sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Let set for 90 minutes or until twice the size. Punch the dough with your fist and divide into 4 equal parts. Divide each quarter in half and roll into a 12″ length, keeping the dough about 1″ thick. Twist the two pieces together to create a rope look. Connect the ends and press together to make a circle. Place on prepared baking sheet. Place raw colored egg in the center of the dough. Repeat until you have all four rounds. 
  • Now cover the nests with a clear plastic wrap and let rise again for 20 minutes. Carefully coat the dough with egg wash, avoiding the eggs.
  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Servings | Calories: 757kcal | Carbohydrates: 113g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 817mg | Potassium: 176mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 829IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
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4.62 from 34 votes

Trisha Haas is a home cook and mom who believes side dishes are the stars of any meal. On Salty Side Dish, she shares easy, family-friendly recipes that elevate everyday dinners. From quick sides to holiday favorites, Trisha’s blog is a go-to for families looking to add something special to their plates.

4.62 from 34 votes (34 ratings without comment)

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6 Comments

  1. What temperature do you bake it at

    Reply

    1. 350. I have no clue how That wasnt in there. I am so sorry

  2. Kelli Ann says:

    Is the butter salted or unsalted?

    Reply

    1. I use whatever I have in my house

  4. Camila Monteiro says:

    Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe!! I’m excited to try it out.

    Reply