Simple Easter Bread, Easy Easter Bread Recipe | Jenny Can Cook (2024)

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Simple Easter Bread

It doesn't have to be Easter to make this soft and sweet egg bread. If you skip the glaze and sprinkles and use an egg wash before baking, you can toast it. Have all your ingredients at room temperature and ALWAYS AERATE (not sift) YOUR FLOUR BEFORE MEASURING.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes

Makes: One loaf

Simple Easter Bread, Easy Easter Bread Recipe | Jenny Can Cook (1)

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour (or bread flour)
  • 2 teaspoons instant or RapidRiise yeast (one packet/7 grams)
  • 1/3 cup sugar (use 1/2 cup for sweeter bread)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 3/4 cup milk (I use 1% or 2% low fat milk) warmed to 120-130° F
  • 1/4 cup softened butter at room temperature
  • 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

  • 1 heaping cup golden raisins
  • additional 1/2 cup flour

  • Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar + about 2 Tablespoons milk
  • Sprinkles of your choice

Instructions:

  1. Combine the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add warm milk, butter, egg + yolk, and vanilla.
  3. With electric mixer, beat on high for two minutes.
  4. Reduce speed, add raisins and about 1/2 cup more flour until the dough forms a mass.
  5. Knead on a floured surface for 100 turns (about 3 minutes).
  6. Cover dough with plastic and let it rest 10 minutes.
  7. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  8. Divide dough into two and roll each piece into a 24-inch long rope. Twist the ropes together (see photo in my blog) and transfer to your baking sheet. Shape the braid into a circle, pinching & tucking the ends together.
  9. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size – about 1 - 1 1/4 hours.
  10. When loaf has doubled in size bake in a preheated oven at 350° F for 25 minutes. (I lay a piece of foil on the top for the last 10 minutes to prevent over-browning)
  11. Let cool for 10 minutes and add glaze, followed immediately with sprinkles.

For How-To Photos in my blog click here.

Problems with this recipe? Click here.

Leave a Comment

  1. Debbie

    March 31, 2024 at 8:17 am

    This is the first time ever making a twisted, shaped bread. It was so good it didn’t make it to Easter!!!

    Reply to this comment

  2. Marilla

    March 30, 2024 at 1:47 pm

    I have been making this Easter bread since COVID started. Works every time and it’s delicious. Thanks

    Reply to this comment

  3. Evelyn

    March 23, 2023 at 5:10 am

    Wow! This was simple and tastes awesome. I always have trouble with a “knead dough” recipe. I did have to add more flour so it did not stick , not really knowing what I was doing, but it Worked! Was worried was going to be bland but was delicious. Used the less sugar recipe and did scoop flour per your instructions. Had fumble fingers trying to branding.. lol..but end result ok.
    Would you recommend a pan size please?

    Reply to this comment

    • Jenny Can Cook

      March 23, 2023 at 9:24 am

      My baking sheet measures 12 x 16 inches.

      Reply to this comment

    • Ann Marie Ward

      February 20, 2023 at 2:03 pm

      I forwarded my pics today of my Brioche bread I made and I got an error “mail undeliverable” .
      I used the link you provided but my e-mail & pics were returned.
      Help!

      Reply to this comment

      • Jenny Can Cook

        February 21, 2023 at 10:41 am

        Thank you for letting me know. We are working on getting it fixed so please check back later.

        Reply to this comment

      • Linda C

        April 12, 2022 at 11:22 am

        I enjoyed making this recipe, my only mistake was it needed to be baked for 5 more minutes, As my oven takes longer. Otherwise it’s very nice.

        Reply to this comment

      • ILOVEJENNYSRECIPES

        April 5, 2022 at 7:40 am

        Dear Jenny,

        Testing some new sweets recipes for Easter and have found YOUR beautiful Easter Ring Loaf is a KEEPER! Baked and tasted yesterday….so delicious and almost addictive! PERFECT subtly sweet flavor, crumb and moisture level…still enjoying today….needless to say will need more for the holiday.

        Will be baking your Easter Bread & Braided Cinnamon loaves again next week…and now, onto a first-time bake of your poppyseed bread. Ordered 1LB of seeds (just received) for this loaf…I am sure this one will be a winner too. Watched your funny poppyseed roll “missing ?$?$ch..ze..kccc$$$” video yesterday to “get ready” and will let you know how it turns out.

        My sweet Busia used to make Makowiec poppy bread but never liked it as a kid, but now – in my older years am loving Polish food/sweets – especially YOUR recipes.

        BEST WISHES to you and your family. Sincerely, – Paula

        Reply to this comment

      • BONNIE

        August 18, 2021 at 9:06 am

        A little disappointed there is no video.

        Reply to this comment

      • Elaine christopher

        February 26, 2021 at 3:53 pm

        Jenny, love all your recipes. Can this recipe be made in a loaf pan? Made your white bread a d it came out perfect. Thank you so much

        Reply to this comment

      • janet

        June 6, 2020 at 5:14 pm

        hi jenny, is this dough like zopf brot that the germans make. is this the same type of recipe kinda? can i just use this dough and braid it into a braided egg bread like they have around easter time. thanks for the help. love your stuff and you. you are very generous and kind. thank you so much.

        Reply to this comment

      • Robert in California

        December 4, 2019 at 1:27 pm

        Hi Jenny! After many tries at bread, I saw your Youtube video and had success the first time! Is this recipe like Pandoro (Verona Christmas Cake)? Do you know any tricks to bypass the complicated recipe for that bread?

        Reply to this comment

      • Doris

        August 20, 2019 at 7:08 pm

        I. Thinkyour recipes are grest. Lemen brownies awesome.

        Reply to this comment

      • Kathy

        April 25, 2019 at 4:15 am

        Taste was phenomenal but the bread did not brown like your picture. Maybe there should be an egg wash step I missed?

        Reply to this comment

        • Jenny Can Cook

          April 30, 2019 at 11:36 am

          There is no egg wash on mine. Assuming you did not make any changes, it’s possible your oven was not hot enough.

          Reply to this comment

        • Connee Safis

          April 20, 2019 at 2:28 pm

          Hi Jenny cou;d I put raisins and cranberries in the dough
          Thank you
          Connee

          Reply to this comment

        • JM

          April 10, 2019 at 8:32 am

          hey jenny can you use “rapid rise” yeast with this recipe? If so would you have to change anything? Thanks Love your site!!!!

          Reply to this comment

          • Jenny Can Cook

            April 11, 2019 at 3:48 pm

            Yes, you can. They are the same thing and I have adjusted the recipe.

            Reply to this comment

          • JM

            April 7, 2019 at 10:07 am

            Hi jenny! I love your recipes and have made quite a few all with good luck. I was wondering could if I could use the “quick rise yeast”? I use it on my other Easter breads but since yours will be my first I was not sure if I could. Thank you and keep the recipes coming!!!!

            Reply to this comment

          • Nelya

            March 21, 2019 at 10:28 pm

            This seems pretty simple. I’m wondering, could I use this recipe for a deeper bread (like in a bread pan or something)? Or would that be a complete mess with the cook time? Alternately, what about cupcake size? Would I need to fill them just halfway?

            Reply to this comment

          • Linda Straczynski

            February 28, 2019 at 9:03 am

            HiJenny enjoy and have made many of your recpeswith a huge success. I have made this Easter bread last year. My husband is Polish, as you can see.I am Greek. Our Greek Easter Bread called Kouloura.is pretty much like this recipe. With the Greek version which I make, I added a spice called Mahlep, and omit the vanilla and raisons..Tastes exactly like the Greek version.. I also cover bread with sesame seeds. Some put a red hard boiled egg nestled on top for Easter. I just love this recipe… As always, you rock..Linda

            Reply to this comment

            • Lynn

              March 17, 2021 at 4:16 am

              My husband is greek and I would like to add mahlap to this recipe. Can you please tell me how much you added?

              Reply to this comment

            • Kim

              February 4, 2019 at 1:52 pm

              Hi Jenny,

              Could I use the same recipe to make small buns instead? Thanks a lot for this wonderful website of yours!

              Reply to this comment

              • Annemarie

                February 26, 2022 at 9:39 pm

                YES KIM YOU CAN ALSO MAKE INDIVIDUAL BREADS, JUST WATCH THAT YOU DON’T OVERCOOK THEM. I MADE INDIVIDUAL BREAD KNOTS WITH A HARD BOILED EASTER EGG IN EACH ONE.

                Reply to this comment

              • D. Lynn Carmichael (aka Danusia)

                May 28, 2018 at 4:46 pm

                I have a sneaking suspicion that this pretty sweet-and-eggy bread ring is going to taste like placek.
                My Babcia, who hailed from Krasnystaw county in Lublin Voivodeship, Poland, made such a marvelous Easter placek that seemed to defy gravity — it rose exceedingly high, with a dome-top that looked like a giant mushroom! The texture of Babci’s placek was light and airy but chewy … and yellow with multiple fresh eggs from the farmer’s market in St. Catharines. But the aroma and flavor: ahhhh: indescribably wonderful of buttery, yeasty vanilla. Just great for dunking in herbata (tea) or coffee.
                Alas, I never watched my Babcia make that placek! She would get up extra early to create it, and then it would just appear, all done and scrumptious in her kitchen, as if by magic.
                Can’t wait to try this recipe, Jenny — after I finish these half-white-whole-wheat quick bread buns, template recipe from your delightful Website.
                Jump: to quick bread buns for comment.
                P.s.: Thank you, Jenny, for all you have shared on this site. You are a treasure.
                I hope this little note finds all well with you.
                *

                Reply to this comment

                • D. Lynn Carmichael (aka Danusia)

                  May 28, 2018 at 4:53 pm

                  Whoops! Make that: farmers’ market … and blame a big glass of iced Pinot Grigio … you know, holiday long-weekend and beautiful weather, here in “Silly Valley,” CA.

                  Reply to this comment

                • Barbara Karr

                  April 14, 2018 at 4:10 pm

                  Jennie! Where is the Placzek? With your Polish background and love for Polish food there has to be a recipe somewhere.

                  Reply to this comment

                  • D. Lynn Carmichael (aka Danusia)

                    August 5, 2018 at 4:32 pm

                    Barbara, if you want to find a recipe for classic, eggy, fragrant, high-topped Polish placek — don’t search for placek, too frustrating!! Instead, search for Paska, a Ukrainian and Slovak Easter bread — it’s precisely traditional Polish Easter placek! (Placek simply means cake …)
                    There is lots (with all kinds of photos and video) under Paska Easter bread. Took me a while to connect the dots & figure it out.
                    Enjoy!

                    Reply to this comment

                    • ed

                      January 4, 2019 at 10:15 pm

                      This is similar, if not the same as the Greek or Armenian easter bread, “tsoureki” or “cho*reg”. It is sometimes made with a spice known as “mahleb” and is sprinkled with sesame seeds.

                      • D. Lynn Carmichael

                        February 18, 2019 at 3:17 am

                        Thanks, Ed, now I know what to do with that precious little jar of mahlab that I bought on ‘The Zon.’ (Found the same little jar at a local market later at a much better price.)

                        Reply to this comment

                      • Betty Navarro

                        January 13, 2020 at 8:12 am

                        Danusia, That’s very Nice of you to Help out a Fellow “Jenny Can Cook” Commenter by sharing info on similar recipes.
                        The info, also, helps the rest of us Commenters. I’m not Polish, but I Love a Good tasting Fruited Yeast Bread. Thak You. 🙂

                        Reply to this comment

                      • Joni Can Cook

                        April 2, 2018 at 9:29 am

                        I made this for our Easter dinner yesterday and it turned out great. The only problem I had was that it took a really long time for the dough to rise. I eventually took it outside and put it directly in the Florida sun. That did the trick!
                        Now I need to figure out how to post pics of my bread on your site!

                        Reply to this comment

                        • Jenny Can Cook

                          April 2, 2018 at 9:35 am

                          Here is the link to post photos: YourPhotos@JennyCanCook.com

                          Reply to this comment

                          • Joni Can Cook

                            April 2, 2018 at 10:47 am

                            FYI – I emailed my pics to the address you provided, but I received a “mail undeliverable” notice. ☹️

                            Reply to this comment

                            • Jenny Can Cook

                              April 2, 2018 at 10:57 am

                              Your photos arrived and have been posted. Thank you!

                              Reply to this comment

                              • Joni Can Cook

                                April 2, 2018 at 4:08 pm

                                Yay! Thank you. The Easter Bread was delicious and everyone love it?.

                                Reply to this comment

                              • Pia

                                March 28, 2018 at 8:35 am

                                This bread turned out delicious, even though I forgot to add the sugar 😉

                                Reply to this comment

                              • runbabirun

                                March 21, 2018 at 7:54 am

                                Thanks for posting this Jenny! Looks yummy!

                                Reply to this comment

                              • Kath

                                March 21, 2018 at 6:35 am

                                Will the Easter bread recipe work using fat free milk?

                                Thanks!

                                Reply to this comment

                              • Bruce E

                                March 20, 2018 at 3:47 pm

                                Just made the bread, and tried the first piece…..it was great. I’m thinking that for year-round use, I will add some cinnamon to it and lose the glaze. It should make a real good cinnamon toast. I will certainly be making it again.

                                Reply to this comment

                              • Harry R.

                                March 20, 2018 at 6:22 am

                                I found that the recipe yielded a sticky dough that could not be handled and kneaded. Adding flour to coax it to something firmer and dryer point didn’t produce a dough that could become the bread illustrated.

                                Reply to this comment

                                • Jenny Can Cook

                                  March 20, 2018 at 12:25 pm

                                  Please use the link at the bottom of the recipe for a possible explanation. This can happen if someone sifts the flour before measuring.

                                  Reply to this comment

                                • Jean

                                  March 19, 2018 at 12:21 pm

                                  Thank you Jenny!
                                  -Jean?

                                  Reply to this comment

                                • Colleen

                                  March 19, 2018 at 9:24 am

                                  This looked so good I decided to make it last night. Quick and easy just as Jenny described. Hubby doesn’t care for raisins, I added dried cherries soaked in apple brandy instead. I decided to give it a cold rise overnight, wrapped loosely with plastic wrap and towel. After bake, I sprinkled blue crystals on top, but would reco the kind Jenny used as it was not as festive looking as Jenny’s. It WAS easy and delicious. My husband was late getting out the door this morning waiting for a slice. I sent in a pic.

                                  Reply to this comment

                                • Jimbob

                                  March 18, 2018 at 3:30 pm

                                  Thank You !

                                  Reply to this comment

                                • Rena

                                  March 18, 2018 at 1:10 pm

                                  Jenny, I make your no rise buns every other day. My husband loves my buns so much. Better than baguettes that we used to buy at almost $4.00 each

                                  Reply to this comment

                                  • Sandy

                                    March 19, 2018 at 8:23 am

                                    Where is the recipe for no rise buns that you referred to?
                                    I would like to try it.
                                    Thanks.

                                    Reply to this comment

                                    • Jenny Can Cook

                                      March 19, 2018 at 8:42 am

                                      I think she was referring to my “”No Knead Crusty Rolls.”

                                      Reply to this comment

                                      • Janis

                                        March 21, 2018 at 6:01 pm

                                        They are quick and easy to make and are really realllllly good. I make them at least once a week and my son loves them says they are just like the ones we used to buy from the store but better cause I make fresh. I want to thank you for your cooking show I really enjoy it and so happy you’re made the recipes easy. I have done your pierogis, stuff cabbage, rolls and every one came out great. Thank you again

                                        Reply to this comment

                                      • Djones

                                        March 18, 2018 at 9:54 am

                                        I have the worst luck with anything that involves yeast but I always try hoping for success. My dough came out to gooey and had to add much more flour than it called for. Any suggestions as to why? Everything was at room temperature and Measured correctly. It is rising now and hopeful it comes out okay

                                        Reply to this comment

                                        • Jenny Can Cook

                                          March 18, 2018 at 10:36 am

                                          You might find a solution here: https://www.jennycancook.com/problems-with-yeast-baking/

                                          Reply to this comment

                                        • OldButch

                                          March 18, 2018 at 8:07 am

                                          This IS a easy recipe AND very delicious. Made it this morning. We always buy “Hoy Cross Buns” during Easter and this is even better. Thank You so very much for you being you !

                                          Reply to this comment

                                        • Connie Natale

                                          March 18, 2018 at 7:20 am

                                          Thank you. I miss your videos!

                                          Reply to this comment

                                        • PATTYC

                                          March 18, 2018 at 6:40 am

                                          I AM SOOO THANKFUL AND HAPPY TO SEE YOU AGAIN!!! I HAVE USED YOUR GREAT RECIPE ON MEATLOAF EVER SINCE I FOUND IT AWHILE AGO. NO OTHER RECIPE WILL DO!! CONTINUED SUCCESS!!

                                          Reply to this comment

                                          • lois

                                            March 18, 2018 at 8:32 am

                                            Where do you find the meatloaf recipe?
                                            thanks
                                            lois

                                            Reply to this comment

                                            • Jenny Can Cook

                                              March 18, 2018 at 10:16 am

                                              https://www.jennycancook.com/recipes/best-meatloaf-recipe/

                                              Reply to this comment

                                            • Joan

                                              March 18, 2018 at 6:00 am

                                              Appreciate your site. I’m Polish and your Polish recipes are very similar to the ones my Mother made. She has passed on now and some of her recipes, I’m sorry to say, are now lost. Yours help me fill in the blanks, Can this recipe be baked in loaf pans? Thank you!

                                              Reply to this comment

                                            • Amy

                                              March 18, 2018 at 5:52 am

                                              great..now i have to make this lol this sounds so good!!

                                              Reply to this comment

                                            • Diane

                                              March 18, 2018 at 4:30 am

                                              Love love love your recipes. You are the best!

                                              Reply to this comment

                                            • Judy

                                              March 18, 2018 at 2:46 am

                                              I love your recipes. They are easy to follow, and the instructions, video’s and moving through your website is also easy to follow. The print recipe feature is the best. Use for shopping list ingredients too. All of your bread recipes and all of your recipes make it so wonderful for people who would not otherwise think they could bake or cook. I have made many of your recipes, and they are all easy to follow, prepare, make and taste so good. Good pointers to people who would not attempt to make their own bread, etc. because of getting bricks; instead of bread. Delicious and no longer buy store bread or frozen pizza. Thank you for sharing.

                                              Reply to this comment

                                            • Seoh

                                              March 18, 2018 at 12:43 am

                                              Jenny, we love your recipes. Thank you dearly for sharing them with us all. 🙂

                                              Reply to this comment

                                            • Mary Meyerhof

                                              March 18, 2018 at 12:23 am

                                              I have made so many breads using Jenny Can Cook instructional/tutorial videos and these recipes have provided us with delicious breads and pizzas.

                                              THANK YOU !

                                              Reply to this comment

                                            • Judy

                                              March 17, 2018 at 11:42 pm

                                              Jenny….I love your recipes and your sense of humor that helps the newer Bread Bakers have confidence rather than doubts about Bread Making:)

                                              This is a special recipe for me and Easter can’t come soon enough for me this year..lol. I think it will be a nice birthday party bread for my Granddaughters, too, in years to come❤️ Thank you for giving me some new ideas now that I’m a Grandma who likes to surprise them w new “traditions” of MY OWN.
                                              Can I make and freeze these and freeze for a week before parties? I hope so.

                                              Reply to this comment

                                              Leave a Comment

                                              Want to share your photo of my recipe?
                                              Just click on this link: YourPhotos@JennyCanCook.com.

Simple Easter Bread, Easy Easter Bread Recipe | Jenny Can Cook (2024)

FAQs

What is Easter bread made of? ›

What's in Easter bread? Similar to challah, Easter bread is made from an enriched dough, which means it includes richer ingredients like butter, milk, and sugar. Along with adding flavor to the Easter bread, these ingredients make it extra tender and soft.

Learn More Now
What is Greek Easter bread made of? ›

Tsoureki, Greek Easter bread, is a sweeter brioche-like bread that is enriched with eggs and butter--ingredients that are forbidden during the 48-day long Lenten season.

Read The Full Story
Why do people eat Easter bread? ›

The Easter holiday is one where bread brings itself into the symbolic realm. Bread is significant for religious purposes. Luisa Fois described bread in her life after she was married and for the Easter holiday. The bread was made into a cross to represent the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

See Details
Why is my Easter bread so dry? ›

Bread can become too dry if it's baked too long, and this can add to a crumb issue. While your recipe may work wonderfully at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes in someone else's oven, you may need to make adjustments. Your oven's thermostat may be slightly off, so you may be inadvertently overbaking your bread.

Get More Info Here
What is Easter blessing bread? ›

The bread is often topped with nuts or seeds, which are another symbol of new life. The braided versions use three strands, which evokes the Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Blessing your children: It's not just for sneezes. But what really makes the bread special isn't the taste — it's the blessing.

Discover More
What is the tradition of Easter bread? ›

The Easter bread tradition:

The bread varies in its symbolism based on the shape—when baked into a wreath, the bread is supposed to symbolize the crown of thorns. When braided into three long pieces, the dough represents the Holy Trinity.

Read On
What is Hebrew bread? ›

Challah (/ˈxɑːlə/, Hebrew: חַלָּה ḥallā [χa'la] or Hallah [ħɑl'la]; plural: challot, Challoth or challos, also berches in Central Europe) is a special bread of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, usually braided and typically eaten on ceremonial occasions such as Shabbat and major Jewish holidays (other than Passover).

Know More
What does Greece eat for Easter? ›

Lamb is the traditional centrepiece of a Greek Easter feast. In villages, it will be a whole lamb — or two — turning on a spit, basted with red wine and oregano throughout the day.

Read More
What are you not supposed to eat on Easter? ›

According to the Catholic religion, fasting and abstinence from red meat consumption are a form of sacrifice, however, this practice is not entirely closed since the faithful can choose how they approach this tradition.

Keep Reading
What food symbolizes Easter? ›

The Paschal Lamb, in particular, represents the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of humanity. Eating lamb at Easter therefore commemorates the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

Read On

Are you not supposed to eat meat on Easter Sunday? ›

Early Christians would eat meat on Easter Sunday in celebration of Christ's resurrection. Some observers abstain from meat all week, but there is no official rule on the matter. Those who do not eat meat for the week often do so in honor of the sacrifice Jesus made for all creation.

Find Out More
What buns are eaten at Easter? ›

Easter wouldn't be the same without hot cross buns. Their history can be traced back to the Hertfordshire countryside, where an old mill still bakes buns to an ancient recipe. Learn all about the origins of the hot cross bun, why they are eaten at Easter and the best recipe to make your own.

Read More
What is the bread used in religious festivals? ›

In order to prepare the Divine Eucharist, Orthodox Christians use the “prosphoro” (votive loaf of bread), while the Roman Catholic Church on the other hand, uses the “Ostia” (very small round wafers) that are offered together with Holy Communion to the faithful.

See Details
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