Best Almond Easter Bread Recipes

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EASY ITALIAN EASTER BREAD



Easy Italian Easter Bread image

This traditional Easter bread is topped with colored raw eggs, which cook as the bread bakes. It makes for a pretty centerpiece.

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield 1 loaf (20 slices).

Number Of Ingredients 16

2-3/4 to 3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup 2% milk
3 tablespoons butter, divided
2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped mixed candied fruit
1/4 cup chopped blanched almonds
1/2 teaspoon aniseed
5 uncooked eggs, dyed
GLAZE:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk
Decorator candies, optional

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a large saucepan, heat milk and 2 tablespoons butter to 120°-130°. Add dry ingredients; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs; mix well. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down; turn onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in fruit, almonds and aniseed until blended. Let rest for 10 minutes. Divide dough in half. Shape each portion into a 24-in. rope. Loosely twist ropes together; place on a greased baking sheet and form into a ring. Pinch ends together. Melt remaining butter; brush over dough. Gently separate ropes and tuck dyed eggs into openings. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 40 minutes., Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. For glaze, in a bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over bread. Sprinkle with candies if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 172 calories, Fat 5g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 80mg cholesterol, Sodium 169mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

EASTER BREAD



Easter Bread image

This light and airy bread is just sweet enough to go along with your traditional Easter dinner. (Add up to 1/2 teaspoon almond extract with the eggs if you prefer it a little sweeter.) Make it the day before, and if you have any left over, make amazing French toast with it the day after!

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 5h10m

Yield 12 to 14 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

One 1/4-ounce packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the work surface and kneading
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/3 cups milk
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the bowl
1 teaspoon fine salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten, plus 1 lightly beaten for egg wash
1/3 cup sliced skin-on almonds
1 tablespoon mini white nonpareils

Steps:

  • Pour 1/3 cup warm water (about 110 degrees F) into the bowl of a stand mixer. Gently whisk in the yeast, 1 tablespoon of the flour and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Set aside until bubbly, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until bubbles start to form around the edges, about 6 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the butter, the remaining sugar and the salt. Set aside to cool, about 10 minutes.
  • Fit the mixer with the paddle attachment, set on medium-low speed and pour the milk mixture into the yeast mixture. Add the 2 beaten eggs. Gradually mix in the remaining flour, and beat until a soft dough forms. Increase the speed to medium-high, and beat until the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a ball, about 5 minutes (the dough will be sticky).
  • Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, and knead, adding more flour as needed, until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Put the dough in a lightly buttered large bowl, cover and place in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Punch down the dough, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and cut it into 3 equal parts. Gently roll out each piece into a 16-inch-long rope. Transfer the ropes to the prepared baking sheet. Press the ropes together at one end, braid them, then gently tuck both ends under to form a long loaf. Cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush the entire loaf with the remaining beaten egg. Scatter the almonds and nonpareils on top, concentrating them down the middle of the loaf (they will spread as the loaf bakes). Bake until the loaf is dark golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped, 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool about 30 minutes before slicing.

ALMOND BREAKFAST BREAD



Almond Breakfast Bread image

Make and share this Almond Breakfast Bread recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Marg CaymanDesigns

Categories     Quick Breads

Time 1h20m

Yield 2 loaves, 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups milk
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons almond extract
1/2 cup slivered almonds

Steps:

  • Combine all ingredients, except almonds, in a large bowl; beat 2 minutes at medium speed.
  • Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured loaf pans.
  • Sprinkle each loaf with 1/4 cup almonds.
  • Bake at 350°F for 1 hour or until test done with toothpick.
  • Cool in pans for 10 minutes, remove from pans and cool completely.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 323.1, Fat 13.8, SaturatedFat 2.3, Cholesterol 38.1, Sodium 277.4, Carbohydrate 45, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 25.3, Protein 5.1

Easter is a time for celebration and togetherness with family and friends. And nothing gets people together more like the aroma of freshly baked bread! There are many types of bread that can be baked during Easter, but one of the most popular ones is the almond easter bread.

What is Almond Easter Bread?

Almond Easter bread, also known as Pane di Pasqua or Pasquetta, is a traditional Italian bread that is commonly baked during the Easter season. It is a sweet bread that is flavored with almond paste, orange zest, and anise seeds. The bread is typically in the shape of a wreath or a braid and is decorated with colored eggs.

History of Almond Easter Bread

The tradition of baking almond Easter bread can be traced back to Italy. In the Italian culture, Easter is a time for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the bread symbolizes new life. It is also a time for gathering with family and friends, and the bread is often shared among loved ones.

Ingredients for Almond Easter Bread

To bake almond Easter bread, you will need the following ingredients:
  • 3 and 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup of milk
  • 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup of almond paste
  • 1 tablespoon of orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon of anise seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt

Preparation of Almond Easter Bread

To prepare almond Easter bread, you will need to follow a series of steps:
  1. Combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, almond paste, orange zest, and anise seeds.
  3. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Gradually add the remaining flour and knead the dough on a floured surface for approximately 10 minutes.
  4. Shape the dough into a ball and place it into a greased bowl. Cover with a towel and let it rise in a warm place for approximately 1 hour.
  5. Punch down the dough and divide it into 3 equal parts. Roll out each piece into a rope and braid them together to form a wreath. Place the wreath on a greased baking sheet and let it rise for an additional 30 minutes.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush the wreath with an egg wash and decorate it with colored eggs. Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes or until it is golden brown.
  7. Let the bread cool on a wire rack and enjoy!

Variations of Almond Easter Bread

While the traditional almond Easter bread is a sweet bread flavored with almond paste, orange zest, and anise seeds, there are many variations that you can try. For example:
  • You can substitute the almond paste with hazelnut paste or marzipan for a different flavor.
  • You can add dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots for a fruity twist.
  • You can replace the orange zest with lemon or lime zest for a citrusy flavor.
  • You can skip the anise seeds and use cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg instead for a warm and spicy flavor.

Conclusion

In conclusion, almond Easter bread is a delicious and festive bread that is perfect for the Easter season. Whether you choose to bake the traditional version or a variation, it is sure to be a hit with both family and friends. So go ahead and bake a batch of almond Easter bread and enjoy the warmth, love, and togetherness that comes with it!
Easter is a special time of year that is celebrated by many cultures around the world. One of the most popular traditions during this time is baking Easter bread. This delicious treat comes in many different varieties, but one of the favorites is almond Easter bread. Almond Easter bread is a sweet and savory bread that is flavored with almonds, raisins, and other ingredients. If you want to make almond Easter bread this year, there are a few valuable tips that you need to keep in mind.

Tip #1: Choose High-Quality Ingredients

One of the most important aspects of making almond Easter bread is using high-quality ingredients. This means using fresh ingredients that are of good quality. You should choose the best quality flour, sugar, eggs, and yeast that you can find at your local store. You should also choose high-quality almonds and raisins. The better the ingredients you choose, the better your almond Easter bread will taste.

Tip #2: Use the Right Equipment

When making almond Easter bread, you will need some essential equipment. These include mixing bowls, wooden spoons, measuring cups and spoons, a bread machine or a stand mixer, and an oven. Make sure that all of your equipment is clean and in good condition before you start baking.

Tip #3: Follow the Recipe Carefully

Another important tip for making almond Easter bread is to follow the recipe carefully. This means measuring out all of your ingredients accurately and following the instructions closely. If you don't follow the recipe carefully, your bread may not turn out as expected. Pay attention to the timing and temperature requirements in the recipe.

Tip #4: Be Patient

Making almond Easter bread takes time and patience. You need to allow the dough to rise properly before you bake it. This usually takes at least an hour or two, depending on the recipe. Don't rush the process, or your bread will not turn out as well.

Tip #5: Don't Overmix the Ingredients

When mixing the ingredients for your almond Easter bread, be careful not to overmix them. If you overmix, the gluten in the flour will become overdeveloped, and your bread will become tough.

Tip #6: Add the Almonds and Raisins Carefully

When adding the almonds and raisins to your almond Easter bread, make sure they are evenly distributed. You also need to be careful not to add too many or too few. Adding too many almonds and raisins can make your bread too heavy, while too few will not give you the flavor you're looking for.

Tip #7: Use an Egg Wash

For the perfect crust on your almond Easter bread, you should use an egg wash. An egg wash will give your bread a beautiful golden brown color and a shiny appearance. Simply beat an egg and brush it over the bread before baking.

Tip #8: Let the Bread Cool

After baking your almond Easter bread, let it cool completely before slicing it. This will allow the bread to set and the flavors to meld. If you slice the bread while it's still hot, it may crumble.
Conclusion
Almond Easter bread is a delicious treat that is perfect for celebrating Easter with family and friends. With these valuable tips, you can make the perfect almond Easter bread that everyone will enjoy. Remember to choose high-quality ingredients, follow the recipe carefully, and be patient. With a little effort and the right equipment, you can make the best almond Easter bread that you've ever tasted.

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