Italian Easter Bread
pinch of salt
2 eggs, beaten
1.25 cups milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups flour
1 egg, beaten with 1 tsp water
6 Easter Eggs
Decorative edible sprinkles
Combine melted butter with milk and heat til just warm. In your mixer bowl combine the yeast, salt, sugar, 2 eggs. Using your dough hook mix these until well incorporated then add warm milk/butter and combine. Once all is combined add the flour until the dough is not too sticky. Knead the dough until smooth and place in greased bowl. Cover and place in warm area to rise until double in size.
Punch down the dough, divide it into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into long strands about 12-14 inches long. Take two strands and twist. Pinch both ends then form a loop and pinch ends together. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Let rise til double in size, about another hour.
Once loaves are risen, paint with egg wash, add the sprinkles and place an easter egg in the center, making sure to push it down for an indention. You do not need to hard boil the eggs before, they will cook in the oven with the bread. Just be careful when coloring and placing them.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes until the tops are a golden brown.
These make great gifts too! Put in a cello bag, tie a pretty bow around it and give to your Easter guests as a take home treat. I'd advise you to replace the real egg with a plastic egg for this, real eggs, though cooked will go bad after a bit.
