Braided Easter Bread

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour , divided
• 0.25 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 package active dry yeast , .25 ounce
• 0.67 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 large eggs
• 5 large whole eggs , dyed if desired
• 2 tablespoons butter , melted

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather the ingredients.

2. 2

   Stir 1 cup flour, sugar, salt, and yeast together in a bowl until well combined.

3. 3

   Heat milk and 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until milk is warm and butter is softened but not melted, 2 to 3 minutes.

4. 4

   Gradually add milk mixture to flour mixture, stirring constantly. Add ½ cup flour and two eggs; mix until well combined. Add remaining 1 ½ cups flour in three batches, stirring well after each addition, until dough pulls together. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.

5. 5

   Place dough into a lightly oiled bowl; turn to coat all sides. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

6. 6

   Punch down dough, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide in half and gently form into rounds; cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, butter a baking sheet.

7. 7

   Roll each dough round into a 36-inch-long roll about 1 ½ inches thick. Twist dough loosely and form into a ring on the prepared baking sheet, leaving five spaces for eggs.

8. 8

   Seal the ends of the ring together, and set whole eggs into the spaces in the dough. Cover loosely with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 45 minutes.

9. 9

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Brush risen loaf with melted butter. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

10. 10

    Enjoy!