Pane di Pasqua

Growing up, there wasn’t a Palm Sunday or Easter where Pane di Pasqua, or “Easter Bread”, wasn’t on the table. Pane di Pasqua is sweet brioche bread, usually in the shape of a braided wreath, with sprinkles and colored eggs baked on top. Although this bread is delicious, it also holds significant meaning behind it. The bread is meant to symbolize the crown of thorns worn by Jesus when he was crucified. The eggs symbolize rebirth, when Jesus rose from the dead. It’s a labor of love but it’s well worth it for the delicious outcome!

Ingredients

Dough:

4 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup warm milk

1/4 cup sugar

2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast

1 orange juiced

2 eggs

1/4 cup melted butter

1 tsp anise extract

Egg wash: 1 egg + 1 tablespoon of water

Colored eggs

Sprinkles

Directions

Heat your milk and pour it into a small bowl. Next, add the sugar to it and whisk. Add your yeast and set to the side

In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the flour, salt, eggs, orange juice, butter, anisette and mix

Once your yeast mixture begins to foam, add it to the stand mixer and continue to mix until you have a smooth dough. If it looks too dry you can add a teaspoon of water at a time until you have a well combined smooth dough

Add your dough to a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap and put it in a dark place to rise for 1 hour

I used this dough to make two medium Easter breads. You can make four small ones, two medium or one large one

Place the dough onto a floured work surface and cut in half, then cut each half into thirds. (Note: you can cut it into thirds or in half and either make a braided bread or a twisted bread)

Roll each piece out into a long rope

Next, take three of the ropes and pinch them together at the top and braid until the end. Pinch the other ends together and then join both ends together to form a wreath. (I have a video on how to do this on my Instagram)

Put them on a parchment lined baking sheet and cover with a clean towel and let rise for another 40-45 minutes

Next, brush them with your egg mixture, place your colored eggs where you like and top with colored sprinkles

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until golden brown

Buona Pasqua!