My Italian Easter Bread Recipe
This is my favorite sweet bread for Easter. It is a traditional Italian Easter bread. My own Nonna taught me how to make it. The smell fills the whole house with joy.
It is a braided Easter bread, shaped like a crown. I love the bright taste of orange and almond. The cream cheese icing makes it extra special. Do you have a food that reminds you of a holiday?
A Little Story From My Kitchen
I once tried to braid the dough too tight. My bread rose into a funny, lumpy circle! I still laugh at that. It tasted wonderful, but it looked a bit wild.
That is why this matters: cooking is not about perfect looks. It is about the love you mix in. This homemade Italian bread is best shared, even if it is a little funny-looking. Have you ever had a kitchen mistake turn out okay?
Why The Flavors Work
Orange and almond are a classic pair. They just belong together. The citrus is sunny and fresh. The almond is cozy and sweet.
*Fun fact*: Using the zest is key. That is the bright orange part of the peel. It holds all the strong, happy flavor, not the juice. Doesn’t that smell amazing when you mix it with the sugar?
How To Make Easter Bread
Let’s talk about the dough. You will mix, knead, and let it rise. This is not a rush job. Good bread needs a little nap to get fluffy.
That is why this matters: the waiting time is important. It lets the yeast do its magic. This orange almond Easter bread recipe is a labor of love. The braiding is the fun part! Which do you like more, mixing the dough or shaping it?
The Special Finish
After baking, the bread gets its crown. That is the Easter bread with cream cheese icing. It is sweet and tangy. Then, add your sprinkles and almond slices.
This makes it a true celebration loaf. These Easter holiday recipes are about making memories. This almond and orange flavored bread is a tradition worth keeping. I hope you try this traditional Italian Easter bread with someone you love.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 4 cups | For the bread dough |
| 2% milk | 3/4 cup | For the bread dough |
| Granulated sugar | 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons | For the bread dough |
| Large orange zest | 1 | For the bread dough; finely chopped, reserve 1/4 for icing |
| Active dry yeast | 2 1/4 teaspoons | For the bread dough |
| Butter, melted | 1/2 cup | For the bread dough |
| Eggs | 4 | For the bread dough |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon | For the bread dough |
| Almond extract | 3 teaspoons | For the bread dough |
| Orange extract | 2 teaspoons | For the bread dough |
| Powdered sugar | 1 1/2 cups | For the glaze |
| Soft (light) cream cheese | 2 tablespoons | For the glaze |
| Whipping cream (or milk) | 4 tablespoons | For the glaze |
| Reserved orange zest | 1/4 portion | For the glaze |
| Orange extract | 1/2 teaspoon | For the glaze |
| Almond extract | 1/2 teaspoon | For the glaze |
| Sprinkles | As needed | For decoration |
| Almond slices | As needed | For decoration; honey baked suggested |
How to make Easter bread
Step 1: First, warm your milk and orange juice. It should feel cozy on your wrist. Mix that with the sugary orange zest. Then stir in the yeast. Let it sit for ten minutes. It will get all foamy and happy. This wakes the yeast up for our sweet bread for Easter.
Step 2: Now, pour that yeasty milk into your flour. Use your mixer’s hook or your hands. The dough will be quite stiff at first. Next, add the melted butter. Then mix in the eggs and salt. (A sticky dough is just right, so don’t add too much extra flour!)
Step 3: Knead your dough until it’s soft and smooth. This takes love and about five minutes. Place it in a buttered bowl and cover it. Let it rise in a warm spot. It needs to double in size. This makes our homemade Italian bread light and fluffy. What’s your favorite cozy rising spot? Share below!
Step 4: Divide the dough into three pieces. Roll each into a long rope. Braid them together loosely. I still laugh at my first messy braid. Then, gently shape your braid into a circle. Tuck the ends under. This makes your beautiful braided Easter bread ring.
Step 5: Let your bread rise again on a baking sheet. Then bake until it’s golden brown. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Cool it completely before icing. For the Easter bread with cream cheese icing, whisk everything together. Drizzle it on and add sprinkles and almonds. Your Traditional Italian Easter bread is done!
Creative Twists
Add colorful dyed eggs into the braid before baking. Shape the dough into individual rolls instead of one big ring. Swap the almond slices for chopped pistachios on top. Which one would you try first? Comment below!Serving & Pairing Ideas
This Orange almond Easter bread is perfect for breakfast. Serve a slice with fresh berries on the side. For a real treat, toast a piece lightly and add a dab of butter. This almond and orange flavored bread is a star of Easter holiday recipes. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Easter Bread Fresh
Let’s talk about storing this special bread. Once cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. It loves the fridge and will stay happy there for five days. You can also freeze it for up to three months. Just thaw it overnight on the counter.
To reheat, a warm oven is best. A quick five minutes brings back its softness. I remember my first loaf. I left it out, uncovered. It became dry by morning. I learned my lesson about wrapping it up tight!
Batch cooking matters. It lets you share the joy. You can make extra dough for later. This saves time during a busy holiday week. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Bread Troubles
Sometimes our baking needs a little help. Here are three easy fixes. First, if your dough won’t rise, check your yeast. The liquid must be warm, not hot. I once used boiling milk. My poor yeast never woke up!
Second, if your bread is too dense, you may have added too much flour. The dough should be slightly tacky. This matters for a light, airy texture. Third, if your glaze is too runny, add more powdered sugar slowly.
Getting these right builds your confidence. It also makes the flavor perfect. A well-risen, sweet bread is a true treat. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
What is the traditional Italian Easter Bread?
Traditional Italian Easter bread is a sweet, enriched bread. It is often braided and shaped into a ring. This homemade Italian bread is flavored with citrus and almonds. It is a centerpiece for the Easter holiday table. The recipe is a cherished part of Easter holiday recipes, symbolizing new life and celebration.
What bread is traditionally eaten on Easter?
Many cultures have special sweet bread for Easter. In Italy, it is the braided Easter bread with citrus. In France, they have a brioche-style bread. In Greece, it is tsoureki. These rich, egg-based breads are a festive treat. Learning how to make Easter bread is a wonderful tradition to start.
What is the traditional French Easter bread?
The traditional French Easter bread is called “Gâche de Pâques.” It is a rich brioche. It is often studded with candied fruit. Sometimes it is shaped like a crown or has eggs baked in. It is a delicious, buttery sweet bread for Easter celebrations across France.
Do almond and lemon go together?
Almond and lemon are a classic pairing. They go together beautifully. The bright, tangy lemon cuts through the rich, nutty almond. This combination is used in many cakes and pastries. For this orange almond Easter bread, we use orange for a similar sunny, citrus flavor. *Fun fact: Almond extract comes from the pits of stone fruits!*
What bread do Italians eat for Easter?
Italians enjoy several Easter breads. The most famous is this Traditional Italian Easter bread. It is a braided, almond and orange flavored bread. Another is “Torta Pasqualina,” a savory pie. The sweet, braided version is a true holiday favorite. Serving this homemade Italian bread shows love and care for your family and guests.
What is Italian Easter bread?
Italian Easter bread recipe creates a soft, sweet loaf. Our recipe makes an orange almond Easter bread. It is braided into a circle and topped with a sweet Easter bread with cream cheese icing. It is a beautiful, festive dish. This almond and orange flavored bread fills your home with a wonderful scent. Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love making this bread as much as I do. The smell of it baking is pure happiness. It reminds me of spring and family gatherings. I would love to hear about your baking adventure.
Please tell me all about it in the comments. Have you tried this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you. Sharing stories is the best part of cooking.
Happy cooking!
—Marina Caldwell
Citrus Almond Easter Bread
Description
A festive, sweet bread braided into a ring, bursting with bright citrus and almond flavors, and topped with a creamy orange-almond glaze.
Ingredients
For the Bread Dough:
For the Glaze:
Instructions
- Place the flour in a stand mixer bowl or large mixing bowl; set aside.
- Heat the milk, almond and orange extracts and juice of the orange in the microwave in a glass measuring cup until 110 degrees. (Warm to touch)
- Place all the sugar in a small bowl and add the orange zest. Mix well until completely incorporated and the sugar is moistened.
- Pour the milk mixture into the sugar zest mixture, stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the yeast, stir and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Add the milk mixture to the flour and use the hook attachment or hand mix it into dough, dough will be stiff.
- Add the melted butter and continue to mix.
- In a small bowl beat together the eggs and salt. Add to the dough and continue mixing.
- You may need to add more flour to the dough, depending on how much juice you get out of your orange.
- Mix with hook for 5 minutes or when you have a sticky ball of dough formed, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes or until the dough is soft and elastic. It should be slightly tacky.
- Place the dough in a buttered bowl, coat top with melted butter, and cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap or a towel. Place in a warm draft-free area and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and divide in three sections. Roll each of the three pieces into long ropes the length of the pan. Loosely braid three ropes together.
- Take the braid and gently fold into a circle tucking the loose ends in.
- Carefully place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush tops of each with melted butter, loosely cover with plastic wrap or towel, and let rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- After the bread has risen, preheat the oven 350 degrees. Bake until golden brown on top, 30 to 40 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Once the bread is cooled to room temperature, glaze it.
- Whisk together with a hand mixer the powdered sugar and the whipping cream, cream cheese, orange zest, and extract. Add more powdered sugar if necessary to reach the desired consistency. Use a pastry brush or spoon the glaze onto the top and sides of the bread, and decorate with sprinkles and almonds.
- Place in plastic wrap and store in fridge.
Notes
- For best results, ensure your milk mixture is not too hot (110°F) to avoid killing the yeast. The dough should be slightly tacky but not overly sticky. Adjust flour as needed based on orange juice content.