Easter Egg Bread

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2-1/4 teaspoons (1 package) active dry yeast
2/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
2 eggs
4 to 5 hard boiled eggs
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Combine 1 cup flour, sugar,salt and yeast in a large bowl. Mix well.

Put milk and butter in a small saucepan and heat until milk is warm and butter is softened but not melted.

Add liquid mixture to flour mixture, stirring constantly. Beat in eggs and 1/2 cup of flour. Add remaining flour 1 cup at a time. Put dough on floured surface and knead until it is smooth and elastic.


Lightly oil a large bowl, place dough in bowl and turn to coat all surfaces with oil. Cover with a cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Divide dough into two equal size rounds; cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each round into a long rope about 36 inches long and 1-1/2 inches thick. Use ropes to form a loosely braided ring, with spaces to insert eggs. Slide eggs between braids of dough. Cover loosely with a towel and let raise again about 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. When dough has doubled in size, brush with melted butter and bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Let sit for 10 minutes, then transfer to a  rack to cool. 

This rich egg bread tasted awesome! Why wait till Easter to make this bread.  Omit the hard boiled eggs and just make the bread anytime!  :)

~Carol~ 

**I used this recipe for my 2021 New Years Pretzel and it was delicious.  This recipe is definitely up there as a favorite. :)