Turkuaz Kitchen Easter Bread

Turkuaz Kitchen Easter Bread is made with dry yeast, milk, flour, granulated sugar, salt, eggs, butter, orange zest (optional), mahlab (optional), vanilla extract, raisins, and sliced almonds. This traditional Easter Bread recipe creates a delicious bread that takes about 4 hours to prepare and can serve up to 10 people.

Turkuaz Kitchen Easter Bread Ingredients

• 2 1/4 Tsp Dry Yeast
• 1 1/2 Cups Milk
• 5 Cups Flour
• 3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 Pinch Of Salt
• 2 Eggs + 1 Egg Yolk
• 1/2 Cup Butter (1 Stick, 113 G)
• 1 Orange Zest (Optional)
• 1 Tsp Mahlab (Optional)
• 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Cup Raisins
• 1/2 Cup Sliced Almonds

For Egg Wash:

• 1 Egg
• 1 Tsp Vegetable Oil

How To Make Turkuaz Kitchen Easter Bread

1. Prepare the Yeast: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let it rest until fluffy, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Mix Dough Ingredients: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine flour, remaining milk, sugar, salt, eggs, and the foamed yeast. Mix until combined, about 3-4 minutes. Cover with a cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 8-10 minutes.
3. Knead the Dough: Add room temperature butter, vanilla, and orange zest to the dough. Knead the dough with a stand mixer or hand for 12-15 minutes. If desired, you can add the raisins and sliced almonds now, but I prefer to add them when shaping the dough.
4. First Rise: Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen cloth and let it rest in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2-2 hours.
5. Shape the Dough: Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into two equal pieces. Roll out each dough into a small rectangle, then add raisins and sliced almonds, fold, and shape the dough. Cut each piece into 3 equal pieces and gently roll out each piece into 16″-long strips. Braid the strips together and pinch the top ends.
6. Second Rise: Transfer the bread onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Cover with a kitchen towel and let them rest for 40-50 minutes at room temperature.
7. Bake the Bread: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, beat the egg and oil together. Brush each bread with the egg wash, sprinkle with sliced almonds, and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

Recipe Tips

• Activate Yeast Properly: Ensure the milk is warm, not hot when activating the yeast to avoid killing it.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Use room temperature eggs and butter for better dough consistency.
• Knead Thoroughly: Knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic to develop gluten properly.
• First Rise in Warm Place: Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place to help it double in size.
• Braiding Technique: Make the ends of the strips thinner and the middle part thicker for an aesthetically pleasing braid.

What To Serve With Easter Bread

This soft and slightly sweet Easter Bread pairs well with butter, jam, honey, or cream cheese. It can also be served alongside coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for a delicious breakfast.

How To Store Easter Bread

• Refrigerate: First, let the leftover Easter Bread cool until it reaches room temperature. Then, store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. It can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: First, let the Easter Bread cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, leave it at room temperature until fully defrosted.

How To Reheat Leftovers Easter Bread

• In The Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the bread on a baking sheet and cover it with aluminum foil. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warm.
• In The Microwave: Place a slice of bread on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 20-30 seconds or until warm.
• In The Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 300°F. Place slices of bread in the air fryer basket and heat for 3-5 minutes or until warm.

Easter Bread Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of the bread)

• Calories: 300
• Total Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 50mg
• Sodium: 100mg
• Potassium: 150mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 45g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 15g

Try More Turkuaz Kitchen Bread Recipes:

• Turkuaz Kitchen Sourdough Bread
• Turkuaz Kitchen Garlic Cheese Bread
• Turkuaz Kitchen Focaccia
• Turkuaz Kitchen Garlic Naan