Bread Machine Italian Easter Bread

Celebrate tradition with ease by making this delightful Bread Machine Italian Easter Bread—a showstopping, sweet braided loaf that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Infused with fragrant orange zest and a hint of vanilla, this soft and airy bread is brought to life with the help of a trusty bread machine, making the process effortless. Perfectly golden and optionally sprinkled with colorful decorations, it’s a festive centerpiece for your Easter table. With a quick prep time and simple braiding technique, this recipe is a stress-free way to create a homemade holiday classic that’s guaranteed to impress. Serve it as a breakfast treat, enjoy it with coffee, or share it with family and friends as part of your Easter celebration!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 0.75 cup Whole milk
• 0.25 cup Unsalted butter
• 2 pieces Large eggs
• 0.33 cup Granulated sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon Orange zest
• 3.5 cups Bread flour
• 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
• 1 piece Egg, beaten (for brushing)
• 2 tablespoons Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the milk in the microwave or on the stovetop until warm but not hot (around 110°F/45°C). Add the unsalted butter to the warm milk and stir until melted. Let the mixture cool slightly.

Step 2

In the bread machine pan, add the milk and butter mixture, eggs, granulated sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and orange zest.

Step 3

Add the bread flour evenly over the liquid ingredients. Then make a small well in the flour and add the active dry yeast.

Step 4

Select the dough cycle on your bread machine and start it. Let the machine knead and rise the dough; this usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the machine.

Step 5

Once the dough cycle is complete, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, approximately 16 inches in length.

Step 6

Braid the three ropes together, pinching the ends to seal. Form the braid into a circle or oval shape, then transfer it to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 7

Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 30-45 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 8

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the risen bread with the beaten egg. If desired, sprinkle the bread with colorful sprinkles for a festive touch.

Step 9

Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 10

Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy your homemade Italian Easter bread!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(902.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2448.8

Total Fat 52.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 642.0mg	0%
Sodium 1476.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 424.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.7g	0%
Total Sugars 85.2g
Protein 79.7g	0%

Vitamin D 200.5IU	0%
Calcium 393.3mg	0%
Iron 22.8mg	0%
Potassium 1109.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 19.1%

Protein: 12.8%

Carbs: 68.1%