Grandma Nardi’s Magical Italian Easter Bread Recipe

Memories of my childhood weekends swirl around grandma nardis italian easter bread, a golden treasure that always brought our family together.

Soft whispers of nostalgia dance through my kitchen whenever I knead this cherished dough.

Sweet aromas of citrus and anise weave magic into every delicate strand.

Generations of love are kneaded into each carefully crafted loaf, passing down traditions from one set of hands to another.

Delicate braids and colored eggs transform simple ingredients into a celebration of heritage and connection.

Warm conversations and laughter seem to rise with the dough, creating more than just bread, creating moments.

Bake this recipe, and you’ll discover how one simple bread can resurrect the most beautiful family memories.

Italian Easter Bread That’s Sweet and Festive

• Quick and Simple Tradition: Whip up this classic Italian Easter bread that connects generations with minimal kitchen skills required. Perfect for bakers at any experience level.
• Family Heritage Celebration: Create a delicious centerpiece that brings relatives together, sharing cultural memories through an authentic homemade recipe passed down through generations.
• Time-Efficient Delight: Complete the entire bread-making process in under 3 hours, including rising and baking times, making it achievable for busy home cooks with limited schedules.
• Festive Presentation Wow: Transform a basic bread recipe into a stunning edible decoration with braided design and colorful eggs, ensuring a show-stopping addition to holiday gatherings that impresses guests instantly.

Grandma Nardi’s Italian Easter Bread Ingredient List

• Flour: The essential foundation for creating a soft, tender bread with traditional Italian texture.
• Sugar: Provides subtle sweetness and helps activate yeast for perfect rising.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast fermentation.

• Active Dry Yeast: Magical ingredient that helps bread rise and develop rich, airy texture. Fresh yeast works best, check expiration date.
• Warm Milk: Creates ideal environment for yeast activation. Whole milk recommended for richer flavor.

• Eggs: Provide richness, structure, and beautiful golden color to the bread. Room temperature eggs blend more smoothly.
• Butter: Adds tenderness and rich flavor. Softened butter incorporates easier into dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Contributes warm, sweet undertone to bread. Pure vanilla extract offers best flavor.
• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, fresh citrus notes to traditional Easter bread. Use fresh, organic lemons for best results.

• Dyed Raw Eggs: Symbolic Easter tradition, adding colorful festive touch to bread. Use food-safe dyes for decoration.
• Milk (for brushing): Creates golden, shiny crust when baked.
• Sprinkles: Optional festive decoration for extra celebration.

Grandma Nardi’s Italian Easter Bread Steps

Step 1: Awaken The Yeast Magic

Drop your yeast into warm milk and sprinkle a pinch of sugar.

Let the mixture bubble and transform for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy and alive with potential.

Step 2: Craft The Silky Dough

• Flour
• Sugar
• Salt

• Activated yeast mixture
• Softened butter
• Fresh eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Bright lemon zest

Knead the dough passionately on a flour-dusted surface for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and stretchy.

For stand mixer lovers, use a dough hook and mix for about 5 minutes.

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover tenderly, and let it rise in a cozy spot for 1½ to 2 hours until it doubles in size.

Step 3: Weave A Bread Sculpture

Gently deflate the risen dough and divide into three equal sections.

Roll each piece into long, elegant ropes about 16 inches long.

Braid these ropes together, forming a beautiful circular wreath on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Nestle colorful dyed eggs into the dough’s curves.

Step 4: Bake Your Festive Creation

Allow the braided beauty to rise again, loosely covered, for 30-45 minutes.

Warm your oven to 350°F.

Brush the dough with milk and sprinkle playful decorative touches if desired.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and gorgeous.

Bread Tips from Grandma Nardi’s Italian Kitchen

Select a draft-free, warm area like near a preheated oven or on top of a radiator to help yeast activate and dough rise perfectly.

Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, pressing and folding repeatedly to develop gluten and create a soft, springy texture.

Use room temperature dyed eggs and gently press them into the dough to prevent breaking during baking and ensure even cooking.

Experiment with different extracts like almond or orange to add unique depth and complement the traditional lemon zest.

Look for a golden-brown color and tap the bottom of the bread – a hollow sound indicates it’s fully baked and ready to serve.

Chill Grandma Nardi’s Easter Bread

• Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Carefully place the bread in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month to preserve its texture and flavor.
• Thaw frozen bread at room temperature, then warm in a preheated 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Wrap loosely in foil to prevent over-browning.
• Leave the bread at room temperature for short-term storage, covering it with a clean kitchen towel to keep it soft and prevent drying out.

Grandma Nardis Italian Easter Bread Complements

• Elevate Flavor Combinations: Pair this Italian Easter Bread with sweet and savory companions that complement its delicate texture and rich history.
• Brew Perfect Coffee Match: Select a smooth cappuccino or light roast espresso to balance the bread's subtle sweetness and enhance its aromatic lemon and vanilla notes.
• Create Festive Spread: Serve alongside ricotta cheese drizzled with honey, fresh strawberry preserves, or a light mascarpone cream to amplify the bread's delicate flavor profile.
• Wine Celebration Pairing: Choose a crisp Prosecco or light Moscato d'Asti to create a harmonious Easter morning experience that celebrates traditional Italian culinary elegance.

Italian Easter Bread from Grandma Nardi’s Notes

• Gluten-Free Easter Bread: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend of rice flour, almond flour, and xanthan gum. Use dairy-free milk and egg substitutes for those with additional dietary restrictions.
• Whole Wheat Healthy Version: Swap half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition. Include ground flaxseed or chia seeds to boost fiber content and create a heartier texture.
• Vegan Easter Bread Alternative: Use plant-based milk, replace eggs with mashed banana or applesauce, and substitute butter with coconut oil. Add extra vanilla or orange zest to enhance flavor complexity.
• Low-Sugar Mediterranean Adaptation: Reduce sugar content by using honey or maple syrup. Incorporate chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios into the dough for extra protein and crunch. Swap traditional food coloring with natural alternatives like beet juice for egg coloring.

FAQs

• What is the traditional significance of the eggs in this Italian Easter Bread?

The eggs symbolize new life and resurrection in Italian Easter traditions, representing the religious meaning of the holiday and adding a festive touch to the bread.

• Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast. Use the same amount, but skip the activation step and mix it directly with the dry ingredients. The rising time might be slightly shorter.

• How do I know if my dough has been kneaded enough?

The dough is properly kneaded when it becomes smooth, elastic, and springs back when gently pressed. It should not stick to your hands or the surface.

• Is it safe to eat the dyed eggs baked in the bread?

Yes, as long as the eggs are raw when placed in the dough and are fully cooked during baking. Ensure the eggs reach a safe internal temperature while baking.

Grandma Nardis Italian Easter Bread Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet nostalgia fills kitchens with Grandma Nardis’ Italian Easter Bread, a cherished family recipe passed through generations. Fragrant anise and delicate braided dough invite warm memories of holiday traditions shared with loved ones.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup warm milk
• 1 packet (2.25 teaspoons) active dry yeast

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, for extra flavor)

Decoration:

• 35 raw eggs, dyed in pastel colors (do not hard-boil first!)
• 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)
• 2 tablespoons sprinkles (optional, for extra festive touch)

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Instructions

1. Awaken the yeast by whisking it into tepid milk with a hint of sugar. Allow the mixture to bloom and become frothy, indicating the yeast’s activation.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a spacious mixing vessel. Introduce the bubbling yeast liquid, softened butter, fragrant eggs, aromatic vanilla, and zesty lemon peel. Merge these components into a cohesive mass.
3. Transfer the dough onto a flour-dusted surface. Massage and stretch the mixture, developing its gluten structure until it transforms into a smooth, resilient texture. This process typically requires 8-10 minutes of dedicated kneading.
4. Shelter the dough in a generously oiled container, draping it with a clean cloth. Position in a cozy environment and permit it to expand and rise, roughly doubling its original volume over 1.5 to 2 hours.
5. Deflate the risen dough with a gentle punch. Partition it into three equal segments, rolling each into elongated strands approximately 16 inches in length.
6. Intertwine these rope-like sections into an elegant braid, forming a circular wreath on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Delicately nestle the colorful raw eggs between the braided sections.
7. Allow the shaped bread to undergo a secondary rise, loosely covered, for 30-45 minutes. Meanwhile, warm the oven to 350°F.
8. Tenderly paint the surface with milk and scatter decorative sprinkles if desired. Bake until the bread achieves a golden, luminous appearance, approximately 25-30 minutes.

Notes

• Boost yeast activation by using fresh, unexpired yeast and ensuring milk is warm (110-115°F) for optimal fermentation.
• Achieve soft, tender texture by kneading dough thoroughly and allowing sufficient rising time in a draft-free, warm environment.
• Prevent egg cracking during baking by using room temperature dyed eggs and gently pressing them into the dough without forcing.
• Customize bread with alternative flavor variations like adding orange zest, almond extract, or incorporating dried fruits for unique taste profiles.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg