Are you looking for a fun and unique way to celebrate Easter with your family and friends? Look no further than Easter bread with hard boiled eggs! This traditional holiday treat is not only delicious, but also a beautiful centerpiece for your table. In this blog post, we’ll share two different recipes for Easter bread with hard boiled eggs and all the information you need to make it a success. Let’s get started!
Recipe 1: Classic Easter Bread with Hard Boiled Eggs
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 hard boiled eggs, dyed
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, butter, milk, water, yeast, and salt. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10-15 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, until it has doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 4 equal parts. Roll each part into a long rope about 18 inches long.
- Take 2 ropes and twist them together. Repeat with the other 2 ropes.
- Form each twisted rope into a circle and pinch the ends together to seal.
- Place a dyed hard boiled egg in each circle, pressing it down slightly.
- Cover the bread and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Bake the bread in a preheated 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
- Let the bread cool before serving.
Nutritional Information:
Per serving: 360 calories, 12g fat, 57g carbohydrates, 8g protein, 2g fiber, 190mg sodium
Cooking Time:
2 hours 45 minutes (including rising and baking time)
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixer with dough hook attachment (optional)
- Floured surface for kneading
- Clean dish towel or plastic wrap for covering the dough
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper (optional)
Serving Suggestions:
Easter bread with hard boiled eggs makes a wonderful centerpiece for your holiday table. Serve it sliced with butter or jam for breakfast or brunch. You can also enjoy it as a sweet snack any time of day.
Variations:
You can add other ingredients to the dough, such as raisins, candied fruit, or spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. You can also experiment with different colors for your hard boiled eggs, or use different designs or patterns to dye them.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter and reduce the amount of added salt. You can also use a non-dairy substitute for the butter, such as margarine or coconut oil. If you don’t have active dry yeast, you can use instant yeast instead, but the rising times may be slightly different.
Storage:
Store leftover Easter bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the bread for up to 1 month.
Tips:
- Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin, as this will help the dough rise properly.
- If you don’t have a mixer with a dough hook attachment, you can knead the dough by hand.
- Don’t overfill the circles with the hard boiled eggs, or they may burst during baking.
- Be careful when handling the dyed eggs, as the colors can stain your hands and clothes.
- If the bread is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil during baking.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I use raw eggs instead of hard boiled eggs?
A: No, the eggs need to be hard boiled before you place them in the bread.
Q: Can I use food coloring instead of dyeing the eggs?
A: Yes, you can use food coloring to color the eggs instead of dyeing them.
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make the dough up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.
Recipe 2: Sweet Easter Bread with Hard Boiled Eggs
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 hard boiled eggs, dyed
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, butter, milk, water, yeast, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10-15 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, until it has doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 4 equal parts. Roll each part into a long rope about 18 inches long.
- Take 2 ropes and twist them together. Repeat with the other 2 ropes.
- Form each twisted rope into a circle and pinch the ends together to seal.
- Place a dyed hard boiled egg in each circle, pressing it down slightly.
- Cover the bread and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Bake the bread in a preheated 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
- Let the bread cool before serving.
Nutritional Information:
Per serving: 390 calories, 12g fat, 63g carbohydrates, 8g protein, 2g fiber, 200mg sodium
Cooking Time:
2 hours 45 minutes (including rising and baking time)
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixer with dough hook attachment (optional)
- Floured surface for kneading
- Clean dish towel or plastic wrap for covering the dough
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper (optional)
Serving Suggestions:
This sweet version of Easter bread with hard boiled eggs is perfect for dessert or an afternoon snack. Serve it with whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Variations:
You can add other flavors to the dough, such as orange zest or almond extract. You can also sprinkle the bread with sliced almonds or chopped nuts before baking.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter and reduce the amount of added salt. You can also use a non-dairy substitute for the butter, such as margarine or coconut oil. If you don’t have active dry yeast, you can use instant yeast instead, but the rising times may be slightly different.
Storage:
Store leftover Easter bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the bread for up to 1 month.
Tips:
- Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin, as this will help the dough rise