Easter Bread (Ensaymada)

Easter is the most important and oldest festival of the Christian church, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today, Easter Sunday is celebrated all around the world. Some do it with hot cross buns; some celebrate with dyed Easter eggs and candies.

This bread is perfect for an Easter dinner, to serve in the table as a centerpiece. Put in some green straw and scatter the bread like you’re making an Easter egg hunt. Put some fake eggs with candies inside, or just put money on it. It will be a good gift basket for friends, or if you’re having a potluck this Easter.

It’s also fun for the kids; they can stay inside, especially if the weather doesn’t cooperate for an outdoor Easter egg hunt.

You can put in a basket, too. Wrap it with plastic and put a ribbon around it. You can bring it to a potluck or give it as a gift for a friend this upcoming Easter.

Ingredients:

1 ½ lbs sweet bread dough

½ cup simple syrup / corn syrup

Sprinkles

Colored eggs (uncooked eggs)

Directions:

1.      Turn the dough on a lightly floured surface. Punch down, divide into 12 pieces.

2.      Roll each piece to form a 1-inch thick rope at least 12-14 inches long. Taking two pieces, braid them together, pinch the ends, and loop into a circle.

3.      Place the circle on parchment lined baking sheet and lightly cover it and let it rise until it doubles in size (about 1 hour).

4.      Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush each bread ring with egg wash and set the dyed Easter egg on the center of the ring, gently pushing down to make an indention on the bread, Bake until golden brown for 25-30 minutes.

5.      Remove it from the pan and place it on a cooling rack. Brush each of the bread with syrup and sprinkle on the sprinkles. Serve and enjoy!

Note about the eggs: Refrigerate the eggs if you’re not serving it right away. When it’s ready; place it back on the bread.

Have a blessed Easter!