With Easter just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about all the delicious treats you’ll be making for your family and friends. And what better way to celebrate than with some freshly baked Easter bread? Not only is it a great way to get into the spirit of the holiday, but it’s also a fun and easy activity that you can do with the kids.
In this article, we’ll be sharing two of our favorite Easter bread recipes that you can make in your bread machine. These recipes are easy to follow, delicious, and perfect for the holiday season. So, let’s get started!
Recipe 1: Traditional Easter Bread
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup chopped candied fruit
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts
Instructions:
- Place all the ingredients except for the raisins, candied fruit, and nuts into your bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer.
- Set your bread machine to the dough setting and let it run through one cycle.
- Once the dough cycle is complete, add the raisins, candied fruit, and nuts to the dough and knead them in by hand.
- Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it in a greased baking pan.
- Cover the pan with a clean towel and let the dough rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the bread for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 200
Total Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 2.5g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 70mg
Total Carbohydrates: 35g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 10g
Protein: 5g
Cooking Time:
30 minutes
Equipment:
- Bread Machine
- Baking Pan
Serving Suggestions:
This bread is perfect for breakfast or as a snack. Serve it with your favorite jam or spread and enjoy!
Variations:
You can add different types of fruit, nuts, or spices to this bread to make it your own. Try adding some cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom for a spicy twist.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have any candied fruit, you can substitute it with dried fruit. You can also use any type of nuts you like, such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans.
Storage:
This bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months.
Tips:
- Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before adding them to the bread machine.
- If you don’t have a bread machine, you can still make this bread by kneading the dough by hand and letting it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours.
- You can brush the top of the bread with a beaten egg before baking to give it a shiny finish.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
- Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, but the bread will be denser and have a stronger flavor.
Yes, you can use instant yeast, but you’ll need to adjust the amount. Use 2 teaspoons of instant yeast for this recipe.
Recipe 2: Italian Easter Bread
Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon anise extract
- 1 egg white
- 1/4 cup colored sprinkles
Instructions:
- Place all the ingredients except for the egg white and sprinkles into your bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer.
- Set your bread machine to the dough setting and let it run through one cycle.
- Once the dough cycle is complete, divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball.
- Place the balls on a greased baking sheet and let them rise for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Beat the egg white and brush it over the top of each ball of dough.
- Sprinkle the colored sprinkles over the egg wash.
- Bake the bread for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 piece
Calories: 300
Total Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 70mg
Sodium: 200mg
Total Carbohydrates: 48g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 14g
Protein: 8g
Cooking Time:
25 minutes
Equipment:
- Bread Machine
- Baking Sheet
Serving Suggestions:
This bread is perfect for Easter brunch or as a dessert. Serve it with some honey or jam and enjoy!
Variations:
You can add different types of extract to this bread to change the flavor. Try using almond extract or lemon extract for a different taste.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have anise extract, you can substitute it with any other extract of your choice.
Storage:
This bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Tips:
- Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before adding them to the bread machine.
- If you don’t have a bread machine, you can still make this bread by kneading the dough by hand and letting it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours.
- You can use any type of colored sprinkles you like, or you can omit them altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
- Can I use butter instead of margarine?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, but the bread will be denser and have a stronger flavor.
Yes, you can use butter instead of margarine, but make sure it’s softened before adding it to the bread machine.
Conclusion:
These two Easter bread recipes are perfect for the holiday season. They’re easy to make, delicious, and perfect for sharing with family and friends. Whether you prefer traditional Easter bread or Italian Easter bread, we hope these recipes inspire you to get baking this holiday season. So, what are you waiting for? Give these recipes a try and let us know what you think!