EASTER BREAD

Easter Bread image

Provided by Anne French

Time 1h25m

Number Of Ingredients 9

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4 c all purpose flour
3/4 c granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 c butter at room temperature
1 1/2 c buttermilk at room temperature
2 eggs at room temperature
1 c craisins (optional)
zest from 1 orange (optional)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Stir together dry ingredients and zest. Add butter and cut in.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and buttermilk. Reserve about 3-4 TBS of buttermilk/egg mixture and set aside. Add the rest to the flour mixture. Mix well.
3. Pull out a chunk of dough, about 3/4 cup and set aside. Add craisins to your bread dough (not the one you set aside) and form into a round shape and place on the cookie sheet. It will be sticky and will spread a little.
4. With reserved dough, knead in more flour until a dough stiff enough to work with forms. Break into 2 pieces, one slightly larger than the other. Break each piece into 3 separate pieces and make 2 braids. Form into the shape of a cross. Tip: for a nice finish at the ends of your braids, simply tuck them underneath.
5. Brush remaining buttermilk/egg mixture on your round bread. Add the cross and brush with buttermilk/egg mixture. This will give it a nice glossy finish. Place on center rack of a oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Note: I live at 6400 feet, so my cook time is probably longer than yours if you're closer to sea level. Tastes wonderful slightly warm. Enjoy!