Description
Spice up your Easter celebration with this aromatic Greek Easter Bunny Bread, a festive treat steeped in traditional Greek culinary artistry. Sweet, braided dough shaped like a charming bunny brings cultural charm to your holiday table, delighting family and friends with its delectable flavor and whimsical design.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup sugar
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
- ⅓ cup warm water (110°F / 43°C)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
- 1 teaspoon anise seeds (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
Decorative and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Raisins or currants (for eyes)
- Sliced almonds (for teeth)
- Cooking spray or oil (for greasing)
Instructions
- Prepare the yeast activation mixture by gently dissolving yeast with a portion of sugar in warm water, allowing it to develop a frothy texture over 5-10 minutes.
- Create a comprehensive mixing base by combining dry ingredients including remaining sugar, flour, salt, orange zest, and anise seeds in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Separately whisk together liquid components: milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract, then integrate the activated yeast mixture.
- Merge wet and dry ingredients, stirring carefully until a cohesive, soft dough emerges.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead methodically for 5-7 minutes, developing a smooth and elastic consistency.
- Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, drape with a damp cloth, and allow it to proof in a warm environment until its volume doubles.
- Gently deflate the risen dough and meticulously craft the bunny shape using varied dough pieces: forming an oval body, rounded head, looped ears, small cheek balls, diminutive nose, and a flattened tail.
- Artfully arrange the dough pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet, creating a bunny silhouette.
- Embellish the bunny with raisin eyes and sliced almond teeth for character.
- Cover the shaped dough with a clean towel and permit a secondary rise for approximately 30 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 350F (175C) while preparing an egg wash by whisking an egg with water.
- Delicately brush the egg wash over the formed bunny to ensure a lustrous, golden exterior.
- Bake until the bread achieves a rich golden-brown color and produces a hollow sound when gently tapped, approximately 25-30 minutes.
Notes
- Swap anise seeds with other warming spices like cinnamon or cardamom for varied flavor profiles if traditional taste isn’t preferred.
- Ensure water temperature for yeast activation stays between 100-110°F to prevent killing the active cultures, which can lead to dense bread.
- Use room temperature ingredients to help dough rise evenly and create consistent texture throughout the bunny-shaped bread.
- Consider making the dough ahead and refrigerating overnight for deeper flavor development and more convenient preparation.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 205
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg