For your next Easter celebration, why not try baking a delightful and traditional Easter Crown Bread? This beautiful and intricate bread is not only delicious but also makes for a stunning centerpiece on your holiday table. Filled with delicious flavors and adorned with colorful Easter eggs, this bread is sure to impress your family and guests. Follow this step-by-step recipe to create your very own Easter Crown Bread at home.
Title: Easter Crown Bread
Ingredients:
– 4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/3 cup granulated sugar
– 1 packet active dry yeast
– 1 tsp salt
– 1/2 cup warm milk
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
– 2 eggs
– 1/2 cup dried mixed fruits (such as raisins, chopped apricots, and cranberries)
– 1/4 cup slivered almonds
– 6 colored eggs, dyed (uncooked)
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Mix well.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together warm milk and melted butter. Add eggs and mix until combined.
3. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring to form a rough dough.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add more flour as needed to prevent sticking.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
6. Punch down the dough and knead in the dried fruits and almonds until evenly distributed.
7. Divide the dough into three equal parts. Roll each part into a long rope, about 24 inches in length.
8. Braid the three ropes together, then form the braid into a circle, pinching the ends together to seal.
9. Carefully transfer the braided circle onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
10. Place the colored eggs into the nooks of the braid, gently pressing them in.
11. Cover the bread with a kitchen towel and let it rise again for another 30-45 minutes.
12. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
13. Once the bread has risen, bake it in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom.
14. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before serving.
Serve this festive Easter Crown Bread as a centerpiece at your holiday table. The combination of soft, fragrant bread, sweet dried fruits, and crunchy almonds will delight your taste buds, while the colorful eggs add a fun and traditional touch to the presentation. Whether enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, or as a snack, this bread is a lovely addition to your Easter festivities. Enjoy the process of creating this masterpiece in your own kitchen, and share the joy of Easter with your loved ones through this delicious treat!
