Italian Easter Bread

Name: Italian Easter Bread
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1.5 cups warm water (can use half milk and half water); 4 teaspoons instant yeast; 3 eggs; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 1 lemon (zested); 2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3/4 cup oil (divided (vegetable or canola)); 8 cups all purpose flour (up to 9 cups (add this very gradually as you might need more or less) ); egg wash ((1 beaten egg with 1 tablespoon of water added)); 4 medium eggs (colored (not cooked)); powdered sugar icing (2 cups powdered sugar plus 2 to 3 tablespoons milk or water; add liquid one tablespoon at a time and whisk) ); colored non-pareils

Instructions

Prep:30minCook:40min

The softest loaf of Italian Easter bread right from Nonna's recipe box. Makes 2 large loaves of light and tender bread (about 850 grams per loaf or 16 servings per loaf). Recipe may be halved for 1 large loaf or 2 small loaves.

Updated at: Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:29:30 GMT