I’ve made this treat for more than 20 years. Colored hard-cooked eggs baked in the dough give the sweet bread an Easter appearance, but you can leave the eggs out to enjoy the bread anytime. The festive loaf is great with ham.
—HEATHER DURANTE WELLSBURG, WV
PREP: 55 MIN. + RISING • BAKE: 25 MIN. + COOLING • MAKES: 1 LOAF (16 SLICES)
1/2 cup sugar
2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1 to 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 teaspoon salt
6 to 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 1/2 cups whole milk
6 tablespoons butter, cubed
4 eggs
3 to 6 hard-cooked eggs, unpeeled
Assorted food coloring
Canola oil
2 tablespoons water
1. In a large bowl, mix sugar, yeast, cardamom, salt and 2 cups flour. In a small saucepan, heat milk and butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Add 3 eggs; beat on high 2 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
2. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, dye hard-cooked eggs with food coloring following package directions. Let eggs stand until they are completely dry.
4. Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into thirds. Roll each portion into a 24-in. rope. Place ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid. Bring ends together to form a ring. Pinch ends to seal. Lightly coat dyed eggs with oil; arrange on braid, tucking them carefully between ropes.
5. Cover with a kitchen towel; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°.
6. In a bowl, whisk remaining egg and water; gently brush over dough, avoiding eggs. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool. Refrigerate leftovers.
TOP TIP
Coloring Eggs
If coloring eggs for Easter, return them to the refrigerator after they’ve been dyed. Don’t let hard-cooked eggs stand at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If you plan on using hard-cooked eggs as decorations, cook extra for eating and discard the eggs on display. Don’t eat any colored eggs that have cracked. Either throw them out immediately or use them for display and then discard.