GRANDMA NARDI'S ITALIAN EASTER BREAD

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Grandma Nardi's Italian Easter Bread image

My Grandma Nardi's bread with dyed Easter eggs represents family and tradition. I fondly remember how she taught me the recipe when I was a little girl. -Pat Merkovich, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h5m

Yield 1 loaf (16 slices).

Number Of Ingredients 15

3 large eggs
Assorted food coloring
BREAD:
2/3 cup warm 2% milk (70° to 80°)
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
3 cups bread flour
1 package (1/4 ounce) quick-rise yeast
1 tablespoon canola oil
EGG WASH:
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon sesame seeds or poppy seeds

Steps:

  • Place 3 eggs in a single layer in a small saucepan; add enough cold water to cover by 1 in. Cover and quickly bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Let stand 15 minutes., Rinse eggs in cold water and place in ice water until completely cooled. Drain; dye hard-boiled eggs with food coloring, following package directions. Let stand until completely dry., In bread machine pan, place the first 7 bread ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting. Check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1-2 tablespoons additional milk or flour if needed., When cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Punch down dough; divide into thirds. Roll each into a 15-in. rope. Place ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid. Shape into a ring. Pinch ends to seal. Lightly coat dyed eggs with oil; arrange on braid, tucking them carefully between ropes. For egg wash, whisk egg with water. Brush over dough; sprinkle with sesame seeds., Cover with a kitchen towel; let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°., Bake until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 157 calories, Fat 5g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 264mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 6g protein.

Baguma Andrew
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This is the best Easter bread I've ever had. It's so light and fluffy, and the flavor is amazing. The anise and orange zest flavors are perfectly balanced. I will definitely be making this bread again.


Taveisha Wright
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This bread is a bit too dense for my taste. I would prefer a lighter, airier bread. However, the flavor was very good. The anise and orange zest flavors were well-balanced.


Yvng Tjay
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This bread is absolutely stunning. It's the perfect centerpiece for any Easter table. The flavor is also amazing. The anise and orange zest flavors are perfectly balanced. I will definitely be making this bread again.


Anderson Fant
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I'm not a fan of anise, so I was hesitant to try this recipe. However, I'm glad I did. The anise flavor was very mild, and it complemented the orange zest perfectly. The bread was delicious, and it was gone in no time.


Charlene Griffis
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This bread is delicious! It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory. The anise and orange zest flavors are subtle but noticeable. The bread is also very moist and fluffy. I will definitely be making this bread again.


Idris Rilwan
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I've made this bread several times, and it's always a hit. It's the perfect bread for Easter, but it's also great for other occasions. I love the way the anise and orange zest flavors complement each other.


Zuko Menzani
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This bread is a bit dense for my taste. I would prefer a lighter, airier bread. However, the flavor was very good. The anise and orange zest flavors were well-balanced.


Namayega Grace
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I made this bread for Easter brunch, and it was a huge success. Everyone loved it. The bread was beautiful, and it tasted even better than it looked. I will definitely be making this bread again.


Isabel Goodlow
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This recipe is a little too sweet for my taste. I would reduce the amount of sugar next time. Otherwise, the bread was very good. It was light and fluffy, and the anise and orange zest flavors were nice.


Karim Shaxawan
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I'm not a baker, but I was able to make this bread without any problems. The instructions were clear and easy to follow. The bread turned out great, and it was a big hit with my family.


Muslim Gore
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I've been making this bread for years, and it's always a hit. It's the perfect Easter bread, and it's also great for other occasions. I love the way it looks and tastes. It's always a crowd-pleaser.


Chevelle White
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This bread is a bit time-consuming to make, but it's definitely worth the effort. The dough is soft and easy to work with, and the finished product is stunning. I love the way the anise and orange zest flavors meld together.


Asemahle Phike
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I'm not a big fan of anise, but I decided to give this recipe a try anyway. I'm so glad I did! The anise flavor was very mild, and it complemented the orange zest perfectly. The bread was delicious, and it was gone in no time.


Shadow Playz
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This recipe is a keeper! The bread turned out perfectly. It was light and fluffy, with a beautiful golden crust. The anise and orange zest added a subtle sweetness and complexity of flavor. I can see why this is a family favorite.


Cynthia Mag
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Oh, I remember making this bread with my grandmother when I was a little girl. It brings back such fond memories. The smell of the anise and the orange zest filled the whole house. And the taste was simply divine.