Why call it Easter bread if tastes so good you want to eat it all year?
A true German Tradition is baking this sweet yeast bread, in German also called Hefezopf, a couple days before the Easter holidays
The Easter Bread I grew up with is a sweet yeast bread traditionally baked and enjoyed during the Easter holiday season. It is often made with ingredients like flour, yeast, milk, eggs and sugar. The loaf is flavored with citrus zest and sometimes covered with almond slivers.
The bread is commonly braided or shaped into a round loaf and may be decorated with colored eggs. It is a popular treat in many cultures during the Easter festivities.
Easter Bread baking tips:
The sweet yeast bread can be baked with or without the eggs. The lemon/zest can be substituted with 1 tsp vanilla. Besides Almonds, other possible add-ins are dried Cranberries and Pistachio nuts
The secret ingredient is Diastatic malt powder. Savvy bread bakers use it to promote a strong rise, great texture, and lovely brown crust. Just 1 tsp for 3 cups flour
You also can also prepare Eierweck or Eierhörnchen (yeast dough rolls/croissants) with the dough.
“Hail Sugar” or Sugar Crystals can found on Amazon. You also could cover the yeast braid with some Streusel Crumbs
Easter Bread or Sweet Yeast Bread
Ingredients
- 1 organic lemon (zest)
- 4 to 5 cups white flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- dash of salt
- 1 pack dry yeast
- 1 tsp diastatic malt (optional)
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 1/2 cup almond (slivered)
- Raisins (optional)
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See how to braid the Easter bread in the YouTube on your right.
When making a true braided Easter bread or wreath, you would take several uncooked painted (food paint) eggs and lay them gently on top of the dough wreath towards the middle before baking. Brush some egg wash around the colored eggs, being careful not to touch them. The eggs will be done while baking.
Diastatic Malt to improve texture and crust can be bought here on Amazon
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the warm milk with the sugar until dissolved.
- Add the yeast and set the mix aside until it begins to foam slightly, about 5-10 min.
- When the yeast starts bubbling, mix together flour, salt and diastatic malt (optional) in a large bowl. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the eggs, zest/juice of 1 lemon, the sour cream and almost soft butter (room temperature). Set aside.
- Add the yeast, milk and sugar mixture in an indentation to the middle of the flour, stirring until moistened.
- Add slowly the remaining ingredients (egg mixture) to the dough, a little at a time, mixing until the dough comes together.
- Add 1/2 cup raisins or other add-ins, see description (optional)
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes until soft and smooth.
- If you have a Kitchen Aid, knead at least 5 minutes until dough removes itself from the blades.
- Place the dough in a clean oiled bowl, turning to coat the dough with oil.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a damp tea towel, and set in a warm (70-75 F), draft-free place and let rise for 1 hour.
- Wait until had doubled in size, then place the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
- Divide the dough into 3 equal piece and form three ropes.
- Place the 3 ropes on the baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cover the ropes with a damp towel and let rest for 5-10 minutes until the dough springs back.
- Then try rolling them with your hands again into to 24″ long ropes.
- Pinch one end of all three ropes together and braid loosely. (Watch the Youtube below)
- Let rise for another 45 minutes.
- If making a ring, let the rise until puffy and nearly doubled, 45 minutes – 1 hour.
- Gently brush the ring with the beaten egg and water egg wash, and place the almond slivers on top
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Bake the bread for 25 to 30 minutes, until the golden and sound hollow when tapped gently (internal temp. 190F).
- Let the bread cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Can be eaten with butter and jelly/jam
“Hail Sugar” or Sugar Crystals can found on Amazon. You also could cover the yeast braid with some Streusel Crumbs
Watch the YouTube below the recipe on how to braid the Hefezopf Easter bread
Hagelzucker or coarse Decorating Sugar can be bought below:
If you choose to make the yeast rolls or croissants, you would bake them at 425 F, 20 to 25 minutes.
