This Easter bread is delicious and very easy to make.  This recipe makes three good size loaves.  You can put this out as a snack with your appetizers, with dinner or even with dessert.  They are also a great gift to bring on Easter.  I’ve been making this Easter bread for years, it just wouldn’t be Easter without it. 

 

Ingredients

7 Cups Flour 

1/2 Lb Butter, soft

1 1/4 Cup Sugar

2 Packages Dry Yeast (Rapid Rise Instant Yeast)

1 Cup Warm Water

5 Eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 Cup Confectioners Sugar

Hard Sprinkles

 

Instructions

In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the flour and butter together.  When throughly combined, add the sugar.  

 

Dissolve the yeast in 1 Cup of warm water.  Add to the flour mixture.  Add the eggs and vanilla.  Continue mixing all the ingredients until a ball forms.  This dough will be sticky.

Flour your work surface and kneed the dough adding small amounts of flour until a tight ball is formed. 

Put the dough in a warm place until it has doubled in size.  Return the dough to your work surface and kneed for a minute or two.  You will see that now the dough is airy and much easier to work with.  

Divide the ball of dough into three equal pieces.  Shape one at a time into a long log, approximately 12 inches long by 4 inches wide (approximately) and put on a sheet pan.

Cut the dough into 3 pieces, leaving it connected at one end.  Braid the pieces together and pinch the end so it looks the same at both ends.  

 

Bake in a 350º oven for 35 minutes.  Let cool on wire rack completely.

Once the bread is completely cooled, make a mixture of 1/2 cup confectioners sugar and 2 TBSP water.  Brush the mixture on the bread and cover with the sprinkles.