Name: Sweet Braided Easter Bread
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 3 h 35 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups whole milk (heated to 95°F/35°C); 1/3 cup vegetable oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon orange extract; 3 eggs, at room temperature, divided; 2/3 cup white sugar; 3 tablespoons grated orange zest; 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed; 4 teaspoons active dry yeast; 4 whole eggs; 2 tablespoons water; 2 tablespoons anise extract; Assorted food coloring; 1 teaspoon anisette liqueur

Embrace the spirit of Easter with this exquisite, braided bread. Infused with the bright notes of orange and a hint of anise, it's adorned with vibrant, dyed eggs, making it a stunning centerpiece for your holiday table.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

In a bread machine, combine milk, oil, salt, orange extract, 2 room temperature eggs, sugar, orange zest, 4 cups flour, and yeast in the order listed. (5 minutes)

02

Step

Set to the 'Dough' cycle and start the machine, adding additional flour as needed to achieve a soft, non-sticky dough. (varies)

03

Step

Transfer dough to an oiled bowl and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. (1 hour)

04

Step

Gently simmer 4 whole eggs in a pot of water for 6 minutes.

05

Step

Immediately transfer to an ice bath to cool. (10 minutes)

06

Step

Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.

07

Step

Divide into 3 equal portions and roll each into a 12-inch rope, approximately 1 1/2 inches thick.

08

Step

Braid the ropes together, pinching the ends to seal.

09

Step

Form the braid into a circle, pinching the ends together, and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

10

Step

Remove the cooled eggs from the ice bath, pat them dry, and arrange them evenly atop the braided bread, gently pressing them in about 1/3 of the way.

11

Step

Cover and let rise again. (1 hour)

12

Step

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). (15 minutes)

13

Step

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining room temperature egg, 2 tablespoons of water, and anise extract to create an egg wash.

14

Step

Gently brush the braid with the egg wash, being careful to avoid the boiled eggs.

15

Step

Bake in the preheated oven, rotating between baking sheets every 10 minutes to prevent excessive browning on the bottom, until golden brown. (30 minutes)

16

Step

Remove from the oven and let cool thoroughly on a wire rack. (30 minutes)

17

Step

Carefully paint the eggs with liquid food dye. (15 minutes)

18

Step

Once the dye is dry, brush the bread with anisette liqueur. (5 minutes)

19

Step

Let the liqueur dry completely before serving. (5 minutes)

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.0/ 5 ( 3 Ratings)

Total Reviews: (8)

Joanny Luettgen
Jul 1, 2025
Be careful not to overbake the bread, or it will be dry. Keep a close eye on it in the oven.
Douglas Marquardt
Jul 1, 2025
I didn't have anisette liqueur, so I just skipped it. The bread was still delicious!
Lizzie Feest
Jun 30, 2025
The braiding was a bit tricky at first, but the end result was worth it!
Burnice Kemmer
Jun 30, 2025
Next time, I'm going to try using different colors of food coloring to make the eggs even more vibrant.
Bradford Binsleannon
Jun 29, 2025
This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but it's definitely worth the effort for a special occasion.
Alejandra Lubowitz
Jun 28, 2025
I love the hint of anise in this recipe. It's a unique and delicious flavor.
Laurel Marks
Jun 27, 2025
This bread is so beautiful and festive! It was a huge hit at our Easter brunch.
Nolan Doyle
Jun 25, 2025
My kids had so much fun helping me dye the eggs. It's a great activity for the whole family.

Sweet Braided Easter Bread