Braided Easter Egg Bread

Ingredients

• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup melted butter, cooled
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and dyed in various Easter colors
• 1 egg, lightly beaten for egg wash

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. Add the sugar, melted butter, eggs, salt, and 1 cup of the flour. Beat until smooth.
2. Stir in the remaining flour, ½ cup at a time, until a soft dough is formed. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
3. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
4. Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 12-inch rope.
5. Braid the 3 ropes together, tucking the hard-boiled eggs in the center of the braid. Place the braid on a greased baking sheet.
6. Brush the braid with the beaten egg. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
7. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Interesting Facts

• The colors of the dyed eggs are traditionally red, green, yellow, and pink.
• The dough can be shaped into a ring and the eggs can be tucked inside instead of braided.
• The eggs used in this bread are cooked, unlike in other Easter breads.