Easter Egg Braid
A festive Easter egg braid featuring sweet yeast dough infused with cherries and shaped around colorful hard-cooked eggs, perfect for celebrating spring gatherings and family occasions.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup lukewarm water ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon sugar ⓘ
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 4 ounces jar maraschino cherries ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 cup scalded milk ⓘ
- 1/4 cup soft shortening ⓘ
- 1 egg ⓘ
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups flour ⓘ
- 4 hard-cooked colored eggs ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon soft butter ⓘ
- 1 cup sifted powdered sugar ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons milk ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine lukewarm water, 1 teaspoon sugar, and yeast in a small bowl; let stand for 5 minutes.
- Drain and chop maraschino cherries.
- In a large bowl, combine scalded milk, salt, soft shortening, beaten egg, and 1/4 cup sugar.
- Add about half the flour and beat until smooth.
- Stir in the yeast mixture and chopped cherries.
- Gradually add remaining flour to form a very stiff dough.
- Turn dough onto a heavily floured board and knead until smooth and no longer sticky.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Easter Egg Braid, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract to the dough. If you don't have maraschino cherries, you can substitute with dried cranberries or chopped candied fruits for a different twist. Make sure your milk is scalded properly to activate the yeast effectively. Knead well to ensure a smooth texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Easter Egg Braid as a festive centerpiece for your brunch table, perhaps alongside Honeydew Fruit Boats for a fresh touch. It pairs well with coffee or tea, making it a delightful addition to your morning or afternoon gatherings. Consider adding a light glaze of powdered sugar icing on top for a sweet finish.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Easter Egg Braid in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to a month. To reheat, simply place slices in a toaster oven or microwave for a few seconds until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Easter Egg Braid contains roughly 729 calories, with 10g protein, 98g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is a good source of protein (19% of the Daily Value), iron (19% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (14% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 988mg per serving (43% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour in this recipe. However, keep in mind that the texture may be denser. You might need to adjust the liquid slightly to achieve the right dough consistency.
How can I make this recipe vegan?
To make the Easter Egg Braid vegan, substitute the egg with a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water), and replace the milk with a non-dairy milk like almond or soy. Use a plant-based shortening instead of soft shortening.
What can I do with leftover colored eggs?
Leftover hard-cooked colored eggs can be diced and added to salads or used in egg salad sandwiches. Alternatively, they can be incorporated into a rich potato salad, or simply enjoyed as a protein-packed snack on their own.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).