Colorful Italian Easter bread is the perfect centerpiece for the springtime holiday. The traditional baked good features a rich brioche dough woven into a wreath shape and studded with colorful eggs.

Italian Easter Bread Recipe: Tips for Making Easter Bread

Italian Easter bread consists of anise-flavored [brioche dough](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-perfect-brioche-at-home) twisted into a wreath shape, decorated with dyed eggs and sprinkles, and baked until golden brown. Known in Italy as pane di Pasqua, this semi-sweet egg bread is a classic Easter centerpiece.
In Christian tradition, bread has long symbolized the body of Christ. Since the Byzantine Empire, Christians have sweetened communion breads. The wreath shape of Italian Easter bread represents the crown of thorns that Jesus Christ wore during the crucifixion. Many Italian Easter breads feature three ropes of intertwining dough, symbolizing the Holy Trinity. The colored eggs are a symbol of rebirth, in honor of Christ’s resurrection. 

In addition to the symbolism, the rich braided bread was a welcome treat after weeks of abstaining from eggs and sweets during Lent—the forty days leading up to Easter.
Make the most of this celebratory sweet bread by keeping these helpful tips in mind: 

1. __Add colorful toppings__. Italian Easter bread should be celebratory. Dress yours up with a variety of colorful sprinkles and colorful [icing](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/frosting-vs-icing). 
2. __Experiment with additions__. Customize this basic bread with flavorings like almond and vanilla extract, chopped nuts (like walnuts, almonds, and pecans), orange zest or [lemon zest](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-zest-a-lemon-easy-lemon-zest-recipe-ideas), and dried and candied fruits (like raisins, candied orange peels, and dates). Fold these additions into the dough after the twenty-four-hour [proofing](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/baking-101-what-is-proofing-learn-how-to-proof-breads-and-other-baked-goods) step. 
3. __Store at room temperature__. Italian Easter bread will keep well on the counter in an airtight bag for up to five days. For longer-term storage, remove the egg(s), wrap the bread in a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil, and freeze the bread for up to three months. Allow the bread to thaw completely at room temperature before eating. 
4. __Use raw eggs__. While most dyed Easter eggs are hard-boiled, this recipe calls for dyed raw eggs, which cook in the oven, as the bread bakes.
Colorful Italian Easter bread is the perfect centerpiece for the springtime holiday. The traditional baked good features a rich brioche dough woven into a wreath shape and studded with colorful eggs.

Italian Easter bread consists of anise-flavored <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-perfect-brioche-at-home' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-perfect-brioche-at-home","linkCopy":"brioche dough","category":null}'>brioche dough</a> twisted into a wreath shape, decorated with dyed eggs and sprinkles, and baked until golden brown. Known in Italy as pane di Pasqua, this semi-sweet egg bread is a classic Easter centerpiece.

What Is Italian Easter Bread?

In Christian tradition, bread has long symbolized the body of Christ. Since the Byzantine Empire, Christians have sweetened communion breads. The wreath shape of Italian Easter bread represents the crown of thorns that Jesus Christ wore during the crucifixion. Many Italian Easter breads feature three ropes of intertwining dough, symbolizing the Holy Trinity. The colored eggs are a symbol of rebirth, in honor of Christ’s resurrection. In addition to the symbolism, the rich braided bread was a welcome treat after weeks of abstaining from eggs and sweets during Lent—the forty days leading up to Easter.

Origins of the Italian Easter Bread

Make the most of this celebratory sweet bread by keeping these helpful tips in mind: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Add colorful toppings. Italian Easter bread should be celebratory. Dress yours up with a variety of colorful sprinkles and colorful <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/frosting-vs-icing' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/frosting-vs-icing","linkCopy":"icing","category":null}'>icing</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Experiment with additions. Customize this basic bread with flavorings like almond and vanilla extract, chopped nuts (like walnuts, almonds, and pecans), orange zest or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-zest-a-lemon-easy-lemon-zest-recipe-ideas' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-zest-a-lemon-easy-lemon-zest-recipe-ideas","linkCopy":"lemon zest","category":null}'>lemon zest</a>, and dried and candied fruits (like raisins, candied orange peels, and dates). Fold these additions into the dough after the twenty-four-hour <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/baking-101-what-is-proofing-learn-how-to-proof-breads-and-other-baked-goods' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/baking-101-what-is-proofing-learn-how-to-proof-breads-and-other-baked-goods","linkCopy":"proofing","category":null}'>proofing</a> step. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Store at room temperature. Italian Easter bread will keep well on the counter in an airtight bag for up to five days. For longer-term storage, remove the egg(s), wrap the bread in a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil, and freeze the bread for up to three months. Allow the bread to thaw completely at room temperature before eating. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Use raw eggs. While most dyed Easter eggs are hard-boiled, this recipe calls for dyed raw eggs, which cook in the oven, as the bread bakes. </li></ol>

4 Tips for Making Italian Easter Bread

Traditional Italian Easter Bread Recipe

Colorful Italian Easter bread is the perfect centerpiece for the springtime holiday. The traditional baked good features a rich brioche dough woven into a wreath shape and studded with colorful eggs.

Colorful Italian Easter bread is the perfect centerpiece for the springtime holiday. The traditional baked good features a rich brioche dough woven into a wreath shape and studded with colorful eggs.
