Nana's Easter Bread

We are looking forward to carrying on our Easter Traditions of making Easter Bread and Cherry Cheese Bread for Easter this weekend. You can see in the picture of my husband and our kids below that we have been creating this yummy bread for our family for a long time. Our daughters will be making bread in their homes in La Jolla and Brooklyn and made me realize that while I have spoken about our traditions here on this blog, I have not recorded the recipe for Nana's Easter Bread. So here it is! Happy Spring to everyone~

NANA'S EASTER BREAD

For the Dough

• 4-5 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 package active dry yeast

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ¾ cup whole milk, warmed

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ cup butter, plus 2 tablespoons melted for top of bread before baking

• 3 eggs, room temperature

• ¼ teaspoon grated orange peel

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the Glaze

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• ¼ cup whole milk

•  Sprinkles

Directions

• Mix 1 cup flour, sugar, salt and yeast in bowl of electric mixer. 

• Combine milk and butter in a saucepan until butter is melted and liquids are warm. Gradually add to dry ingredients and beat together at medium speed for 2 minutes. 

• Add 3 eggs, orange rind, nutmeg plus another 1 cup of flour to make a thick batter. Beat at high speed for 2 minutes. Change to dough hook and stir in enough additional flour to make soft dough that is no longer sticky. 

• Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 1 to 2 minutes. Place in a lightly greased bowl, turn in the bowl so the top is greased and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

• Punch down dough and divide into two equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 24” rope. Twist two ropes together and loosely form into a ring on a greased baking sheet. Brush with melted butter.