Bread Machine Easter Bread Recipe (2024)

This Bread Machine Easter Bread Recipe is made with a slightly sweetened dough made in a bread machine, then shaped into a traditional braid and stuffed with dyed eggs.

Let me help you take the fear out of working with yeast and show you how to use your bread machine to create a new family tradition this spring.

Discover delicious twists on traditional Easter Bread Recipes that are perfect for your holiday table!

While Easter bread may be an Italian family tradition, I'm sure my grandmother never thought I would make the dough using a bread machine!

Which is what I did this year. Two years ago I used frozen bread dough to make my Individual Italian Easter Bread Rings. Which worked out great, so I thought how could I make this old recipe even easier?

And that's when I thought of using my bread machine to make the dough!

Easter Bread Glaze

While some prefer a classic, unglazed look to their Easter bread, this quick and delicious glaze adds a touch of sweetness and a beautiful sheen. It's flavored with almond extract, but feel free to customize it with vanilla or even lemon extract for a citrusy twist. It's a simple way to personalize your Easter bread and take it to the next level!

What is the Meaning of Easter Bread?

Easter bread is full of meaning. It starts with using yeast as the leavening agent to symbolize the Christ’s resurrection from the tomb.

When Easter Bread is shaped into a wreath it symbolizes the crown of thorns worn by Jesus at the crucifixion. Other breads that are shaped into a braid represent the three elements of the Holy Trinity.

Placing eggs in the center of the bread braids, represents rebirth and Christ rising from the dead.

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📋Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients and instructions. Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact quantities, detailed instructions and special notes.

• Warm Milk– heat the milk in the microwave in 30 second intervals until it reaches 100 to 105 degrees.
• Oil– I used vegetable oil.
• Egg and egg whites– this keeps the dough from getting dense.
• Sugar– this is a slightly sweet dough recipe.
• Flour
• Salt– for flavor.
• Yeast– make sure it's bread machine yeast that's specially formulated for the bread machine and becomes active more quickly than active dry yeast.
• Hard boiled eggs - you'll need at least 4 or 5 hard boiled eggs depending on how long the loaf of bread is. I used 4 eggs for my loaf, but probably could have fit an extra egg in at the bottom. I do not bake the bread with the eggs like a traditional Easter bread recipe. If you do that, you'll need to use raw colored eggs.
• Powdered Sugar
• Milk
• Almond Extract - if you don't like the flavor of almond extract, you can substitute vanilla extract.
• Sprinkles

🥣Step-by-Step Instructions

When preparing dough in a bread machine it's very important to add the ingredients exactly as listed in the recipe. Check the instructions for your bread machine. You do not need to proof the yeast either.

Step 1: Start by pouring the warm milk, oil, beaten egg and egg whites, and sugar into the bread machine pan. Gently add the flour and salt, then sprinkle the yeast on top. Set your machine to the dough cycle, press start, and let it do its magic!

Step 2: Your bread machine should beep when the dough is finished.

Step 3: Transfer the dough from the bread machine to a lightly floured surface. Notice how beautiful and pliable it is! With just a few gentle kneads, shape it into a large, round ball.

How to Form the Easter Braid

Step 4: Divide the dough into three equal pieces. Shape each piece into a long rope. Braid the ropes together, then tuck the ends underneath.

Allow the Braided Bead to Rise

Step 5: Here's a trick to prevent egg dye from bleeding in your Easter bread! Instead of using real eggs during the rise, try "temporary eggs" made from aluminum foil. Once you've shaped the dough, cover it and let it rise for another hour, or until doubled in size.

Dye the Easter Eggs

Step 6: While the bread is rising, dye the hard boiled eggs. I used a traditional box of egg dye, but you can dye your eggs naturally or use food coloring to dye Easter eggs!

Brush the Bread with an Egg Wash

Step 7: Whisk together one egg and 2 teaspoons of water to create an egg wash. Brush the egg wash over the doubled dough for a beautiful golden finish.

Baking Instructions

Step 8: Bake the risen dough in your preheated 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes. Keep an eye on it and remove it when golden brown.

Add the Easter Eggs

Step 9: Once the bread is baked, carefully remove the aluminum foil. Gently nestle the dyed eggs into the spaces within the loaf.

Prepare the Glaze

Step 10: Mix the glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Carefully drizzle the glaze over the bread, avoiding the colorful eggs.

Add the Sprinkles

Step 11: The glaze dries fast, so sprinkle on those decorations right away!

See Also

Delicious Pretzel S'Mores Bites Recipe Sweet Pea's Kitchen

🥣Serving Tips

Place the bread on a platter and decorate it if you want. It's a tradition in our family to have the bread on display.

I'll set the kitchen table and use the bread as my centerpiece for our Easter Sunday brunch after church.

🍶Storage Tips

Let it cool completely before storing. Remove the hard boiled eggs from the loaf and store them separately.

Then wrap the bread in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and leave it at room temperature. If you want to keep the bread fresh for longer, refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to a week.

❄️Freezing Tips

To freeze your Easter bread, I like to slice it first for easy thawing. Wrap the slices or loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil to protect from freezer burn. Label and date the package, and it will stay good for up to two months.

🔁 Thawing and Reheating Tips

Thaw frozen slices on the counter or pop them directly in the toaster for a warm, fresh-baked taste.

Let’s Do Brunch Easter Spring Celebration Printable eBookClick HERE to SAVE!

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Bread Machine Easter Bread Recipe

Yield: 1 loaf

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Bread Machine Easter Bread Recipe– slightly sweetened dough made in the bread machine and then shaped into a traditional ItalianEaster Bread Recipestuffed with dyed eggs.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm milk
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 egg and 2 egg whites
• ½ cup sugar
• 4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons bread machine yeast

For the Easter Bread Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• Easter sprinkles

For the Egg Wash

• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons water

Instructions

1. Place all the ingredients for the dough inside the bread machine in the order they are listed.
2. Turn the bread machine on to the dough only cycle.
3. After the cycle is completed, remove the dough and place on a lightly floured surface.
4. Knead the dough just a few times to get it into the shape of a large round ball.
5. Divide the dough into three pieces. Then form each piece into a long ropes and start braiding them. Make sure you tuck both ends under when the braid is done.
6. Place“temporary eggs” or aluminum foil to place in the bread rings while the dough rises.Cover the dough with a clean dish cloth and allow it to rise for another hour or until it’s doubled in size.
7. While the bread is rising, dye the hard boiled eggs. I used a traditional box of egg dye, but you can dye your eggs naturally if you prefer. Set aside to dry completely while the bread bakes.
8. After the dough has doubled in size, brush the loaf with an egg wash of one beaten egg and 2 teaspoons water.
9. Bake in a preheated 350°F degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Gently remove the aluminum foil from the baked loaf of bread and gently add the dyed eggs into the spaces where the aluminum foil was.
11. Combine the ingredients for the glaze together in a small bowl. Drizzle the glaze on top of the baked bread trying not to get it on the eggs.
12. Add the sprinkles on top of the glaze.
    

Notes

If you don't like the flavor of almond extract, you can substitute vanilla extract.

The glaze dries quickly, so be quick when adding the sprinkles.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 16Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 204Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 151mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gProtein: 5g

The nutrition information is calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you, please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator.

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