Top 6 Easter Bread Recipes You’ll Love to Bake

Top 6 Easter Bread Recipes You Should Try

Easter is a time for traditions, celebrations, and—of course—indulgent treats fresh from the oven. Across the globe, Easter breads represent both cultural heritage and the joy of the season. From sweet, braided loaves to rich, spiced buns, every recipe tells a story and brings flavor to your festive table. 

Are you prepared to take on the challenge of baking something truly exceptional this Easter? Here are six irresistible Easter bread recipes you absolutely need to try! We’ll take you on a culinary tour of Italy, Greece, Poland, and beyond, sharing the authentic flavors each bread has to offer. 

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6 Delicious Easter Bread Recipes to Bake at Home

1. Classic Italian Easter Bread

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Fluffy, sweet, and adorned with colorful sprinkles, this braided bread is as beautiful as it is delicious. It’s a tradition in Italian households, where the colorful eggs symbolize rebirth and renewal. 

Ingredients:

• 3½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 packet active dry yeast (2¼ tsp)
• ½ tsp salt
• ⅔ cup milk (warmed)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Colored eggs (uncooked, for decoration)
• Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the softened butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and the yeast mixture. Mix until it forms a dough.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
5. Once risen, divide the dough into 3 equal parts. Roll each part into a long rope and braid them together. Form the braid into a circle and pinch the ends to seal.
6. Gently tuck the colored uncooked eggs into the braid. Place the bread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Cover the bread and let it rise again for 30-40 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the bread with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water) and decorate with sprinkles if desired.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown. Let cool before serving.

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2. Greek Tsoureki

Sweet, aromatic, and braided like its Italian counterpart, Tsoureki owes its unique flavor to spices like mahleb and cardamom. This bread has been a centerpiece of Greek Easter celebrations for centuries. 

Ingredients:

• 4 cups bread flour
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1 tsp mahleb powder
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• Zest of 1 orange
• ½ cup warm milk
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
• Red-dyed eggs for decoration (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, mahleb powder, cardamom, and orange zest.
3. Add the yeast mixture, eggs, and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
6. Punch down the dough and divide it into three equal portions. Roll each portion into long ropes and braid them together.
7. Place the braided dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). If desired, tuck red-dyed eggs into the braids as a decorative touch.
9. Bake the Tsoureki for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
10. Let the bread cool before slicing and serving.

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3. Hot Cross Buns

A staple Easter treat in the UK, hot cross buns are spiced sweet rolls traditionally marked with a cross on top. These buns are perfect with butter or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. 

Ingredients:

• 4 cups bread flour
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1½ cups warm milk
• 1 large egg
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• ¾ cup raisins or currants

Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
2. Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add the frothy yeast mixture, egg, and melted butter. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
3. Add Raisins: Fold in the raisins or currants. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Let it Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Shape the Buns: Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and place them on a greased baking tray, slightly apart. Cover and let them rise for another 30–45 minutes.
6. Add the Crosses: Mix a paste of flour and water (about ½ cup flour and a few tablespoons of water) and pipe crosses onto the top of each bun.
7. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the buns for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. Glaze (Optional): Brush the hot buns with a sugar glaze (made by dissolving 2 tbsp sugar in 2 tbsp hot water) for a shiny finish.
9. Serve: Let the buns cool slightly, then enjoy with a spread of butter!

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4. Polish Babka

This rich, cake-like bread is full of buttery flavor and swirled with delicious fillings such as cinnamon or chocolate. Polish Babka is a show-stopping centerpiece for your Easter spread. 

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup warm milk
• 2 tsp active dry yeast
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Filling of choice (cinnamon sugar or melted chocolate)

Instructions:

1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, softened butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and the yeast mixture. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
3. Add the filling: Roll out the dough into a rectangle. Spread your filling of choice (cinnamon sugar or melted chocolate) evenly over the dough. Roll it tightly into a log and twist it into a spiral or braid shape.
4. Second rise: Place the shaped dough into a greased loaf pan or bundt pan. Cover and let it rise again for about 30-45 minutes.
5. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the Babka for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Cool and serve: Let the Babka cool slightly before slicing. Enjoy your rich, buttery bread as a centerpiece for any occasion!

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5. Russian Kulich

A towering, cylindrical bread infused with cardamom and saffron, Kulich is often served with powdered sugar or frosting to reflect Easter joy. 

Ingredients:

• 3½ cups bread flour
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 large eggs
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• A pinch of saffron threads, steeped in 1 tbsp warm water
• ¾ cup candied fruits or raisins

Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, a pinch of sugar, and the yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
2. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, sugar, and cardamom. Add the yeast mixture, softened butter, eggs, and saffron water. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough: Knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Add Fruits: Gently knead in the candied fruits or raisins until evenly distributed.
5. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, until doubled in size.
6. Shape and Second Rise: Punch down the dough and shape it into a cylinder. Place it in a tall, greased pan or Kulich mold. Cover and let it rise again for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
7. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the Kulich for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cool and Decorate: Allow the bread to cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar or frosting, if desired.

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6. Swedish Semla

These sweet cardamom buns filled with almond paste and whipped cream are indulgent and festive! Though traditionally eaten during Lent, they’re perfect for Easter too. 

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup warm milk
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 tsp cardamom
• 1 large egg
• 4 tbsp butter (softened)
• Almond paste (for filling)
• Whipped cream (for filling)

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and cardamom.
3. Add the egg, softened butter, and the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough comes together.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
6. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
7. Divide the dough into 10-12 equal pieces, shape them into round buns, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Let the buns rise for another 30 minutes.
9. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow the buns to cool completely.
10. Slice the tops off the buns and hollow out the centers slightly. Fill each bun with almond paste and whipped cream. Place the tops back on and dust with powdered sugar before serving.

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Tips for Successful Easter Bread Baking

• Plan Ahead: Many Easter breads require proofing time, so schedule your prep accordingly. 
• Measure Precisely: Use a kitchen scale to ensure accurate measurements for a foolproof dough. 
• Don’t Rush the Rise: Allow dough to rise fully to achieve that perfect fluffy texture. 
• Experiment with Flavors: Feeling adventurous? Add citrus zest, dried fruits, or nuts to personalize your bread. 

Bake, Share, and Celebrate

Breaking bread brings people together like nothing else. This Easter, why not make a tradition of baking one (or all!) of these delightful recipes with your loved ones? Gather your apron, preheat the oven, and start your culinary Easter adventure today. 

We’d love to see your creations! Snap a photo and share it with us on social media. Happy baking! 

Read More:

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• 6 Must-Try Easter Dessert Recipes – Fun & Easy Treats!