I always make the dough in my bread machine - makes it so easy!

for 1 1/2 lb loaf [large]
2.25 tsp yeast
2.75 +1 Tbsp bread flour
.25 cup + 2 Tbsp sugar
.75 tsp salt
3.5 Tbsp veg oil
3 egg yolks
1 c water

1 beaten egg for glazing

make dough in machine on dough cycle, remove divide in 3, let rise approx 20 minutes, braid, tuck ends under, let rise 30 min, glaze, bake at 350 for 30 min. till golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on bottom.

Oh and I guess nestle in hb eggs just prior to baking?

You might try All Recipes and type in EASTER BREAD RING. Would this be the recipe that you're looking for?

Thank you both so much. I will try the recipe you posted Sands - I appreciate it. And I did see that recipe on All recipes - but there weren't any clear instructions for putting the dough in the machine....it seems that many folks alter the recipe and that makes it confusing to me (newbie on cooking and baking LOL). You are the best!! Many thanks!!

My next door neighbor makes it and its very popular in every bakery around here...Personally Im not a fan.

I did it once....and obviously didn't know what I was doing and the bread sort of shrank away from the eggs and the dye on the egg stained the bread around where the eggs sat....and it didn't look like the picture at all...
Now I'm stuck with these danged Bunny Buns!
Linda C

Coleen:
I think my Recipe is about the same as
Sands. They are all basically the same.
Some use Honey instead of Suger, Etc.
Here is Mine:

A lot of reading but it is Simple to do !!!

Everyone has their own way to do this, which is better.
But! I like to cook and bake using easier ways,
long as the end results are the same.
I've used this recipe since I got out of the Army, a very long time ago
and converted it from Army Baking (Large amounts )to Home Baking.
It wasn't easy going from 4 Quarts to 4 cups , etc.
But I worked it out.
I got the results that I wanted and I'm passing it on to
everyone.
- - - - - - - - - -
Here is the recipe:
Luigis - - - Braided, Plaited Bread or Dough for Cinnamon Buns Etc.
2 cups of milk, (warm ) - - Sometimes I sub Powdered Milk
1 1/3 cup of Sugar
3 large eggs- beaten (save ½ egg w. a little milk for basting )
1 tablesp.+ of Vanilla - -
½ cup + of oil - -
½ teasp. Salt
2 packs of Fleischmans Active dry yeast
AP Flour - 3 cups to start ( probably about 6 total )
enough to knead into a soft ball that doesnÂt stick to your hands.
I now substitute a cup of WW Flour. Makes it more tender.
Stir the yeast in a 1/3 cup of warm water w. ½ spoon of sugar, to test it for raising.

In a large mixing bowl, or (KA mixer) place the warm milk ( not hot )
add the sugar ,vanilla , salt & eggs
Beat until the sugar is dissolved and add the Yeast and mix well.
Add 1 cup of WW flour and 3 cups of AP flour and mix with mixer a few minutes.
Add flour until you make a soft Ball of dough that doesnÂt stick to your hands.
DonÂt make it stiff , try to keep it a "soft dough."
On the Work Top, Sprinkle some flour under the ball and Knead it until smooth.
Place it in a large bowl, Rub some oil on top.

Cover with a damp towel and place in a warm spot ( until double.) I usually turn my oven on for a few minutes to warm and shut it.
Place a pan of hot water on the bottom shelf.

Then place the dough bowl in the oven to rise.
When ( doubled ) deflate and put it out of the bowl onto a floured worktop.
Punch it down and knead the dough again. Then cut into 2 pieces ( 2 loaves ).
Divide each piece into 3. Roll each of these 3 pieces into the shape
of a sweet potato ( about 12 in long ).
With the basting ( egg ) mixture and wet the tips of the 3 pieces
and stick them together at one end .
Then spread the other end the shape of an arrow While keeping the stuck ends down and away from you ,
twist each piece clockwise about 8 times and
lay them down so you can Platt or Braid them and
stick the other ends together
There are other ways to Braid ( 6 Strands ) but I take the fast easy way to do things.
Place the 2 shaped loaves on lightly oiled cookie tins, or in loaf pans.
Preheat the oven to 400 deg.
Spray some Pam on the loaves or brush with oil. This will keep them from drying while raising.
When doubled in size (about 20 min.) place in the oven , top shelf and bake until slightly tan.
Baste them with the egg mix and rotate them back into the oven and
( Turn temperature down to 325 deg.)
Baste again when they are a dark tan. Cook till a rich brown, mahogany color.
Take them out of the pans onto a rack to cool. Control yourself !!!! Let them cool !!!

This sounds like a lot to do but it is easy and should take only 10 minutes to mix and shape.
The most time is in the waiting for the dough to rise and for the bread to cool .
But it do look great !!! & Professional
This dough can also be used for Cinnamon Buns .
I use it for Bagels too. I like the Hardly Noticeable, sweet taste.

wow that looks good Lou - too bad I can't bake with my oven out of commission :(

Colleen - I posted the amounts for a 1.5 lb bread machine, I also have the 1# version if that's your machines capacity. I can never remember which mine is so I always use the 1# directions lol.

Gosh - you all are the best!! I appreciate all the recipes and plan to attempt the 1.5 lb one tomorrow and Lou's next weekend. I love this forum!! Have a wonderful weekend!!

Coleen:
I'm making some tonight but I made the Dough a little too stiff.
Hope it is OK.
If they turn out good. I'll take some Photo's and Post them.
Lou

Thanks Lou - I would love to see it!!

Colleen, you're easy to help - *you* are why the amazing senior regulars [I'm only a soph/junior at best] keep posting recipes they've posted a million times or reoffer the advice on how to cook a roast chicken just so- the joy and enthusiasm and a polite request that everyone loves to assist. It's great to have you here! Let us know how you do in your first foray into Challah bread :) I'm routing for you!

p.s. I never knew it was called Challah bread until a Jewish friend gave me a heads up! Could be why your "homework" didn't turn up much. Happy Weekend C

Coleen:
Here is the Easter Bunny and the Easter Basket with an egg.

The Bunny is about 12 inches high and the Basket is about 10 inches high.

They are OK but didn't come out exactly as I planned.
The Easter Bread is still baking. I'll post that next.
LOU

Coleen:
Here is the Braided Bread right out of the oven.
Lou

Oh my gosh Lou - do you live in NC...I could just run over and buy one from you LOL!!!
And Sands - I will let you know....I plan to probably make it today so I will tell you how it goes...I cannot thank you enough. Maybe this computer thing is not so bad...virtual friends!!!! :)

Those look beautiful, Lou! I love the basket. And the Easter Bunny seems especially excited about the holiday--or is that his tail? ;o)

I used to make braided Easter rings with colored eggs wound up in them from a recipe I found in the NY Times International Cookbook. It had mastikha resin as the flavoring ingredient, which made it taste and smell much more interesting than plain old brioche. Now I'm curious to see if I can buy some of that online--it was easy to get when I lived near the Greek markets in Astoria. Thanks for jogging my memory about these, Colleen!

I made tsoureki, Greek Easter bread, last year using a recipe from RecipeZaar. It came out pretty good. I had to order the mahlepi online as Maureen indicated. I didn't use the masticha.

I used to love buying Easter bread at a Greek store near the big Saint Sophia church in Los Angeles. This recipe produced a similar result. I'm going to make some more this evening. The only changes I would make is to not use too much flour as the dough can be a bit dry. Also, I found the bread browned too quickly. This time I'm going to watch it more carefully and either tent it with foil or lower the heat.

Maureen:
I don't think he had access to Extenze.

Must be his tail !!!

Ok...made it and it was easier than I expected and it looks so pretty. It is still cooling and I need to paint the top of the eggs when it is cooled (I didn't want the dye to bleed all over the dough). My husband came down and asked what was smelling so good :)
I appreciate all of your help!!! I cannot wait to eat it! HAppy Easter everyone!

I wanted something fancier then just a round load for Easter. I used the no knead recipe and divided it into thirds and braided it then baked it for 35 minutes on a cookie sheet. I also brushed on a egg white wash. It came out great! DH ate 4 slices of it!
Clare

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