This sweet braided egg bread is similar to hoska, challah and chalka, except that hard-cooked eggs that have been dyed red are nestled atop the braid. The red color symbolizes the blood Christ shed and the eggs are a universal symbol of Christ's resurrection. Some people shape their bread into a cross with an egg at the head, foot and arms of the cross.
Easter Bread Recipes Around the World
Makes 1 Serbian Easter Egg Bread
Easter Bread Recipes Around the World
Makes 1 Serbian Easter Egg Bread
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cream
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) butter
- 2 teaspoons plus 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup very warm water
- 3 1/2 cups flour plus additional for dusting and shaping
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 5 large egg yolks
- 2 whole large eggs
- 5 hard-cooked eggs, dyed red
Preparation:
- Heat cream, vanilla and butter in a saucepan over low heat until butter melts.
- In a cup, dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water. Allow to stand for 15 minutes.
- Using the paddle attachment in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, salt, 2/3 cup sugar and lemon zest. Add egg yolks, 1 whole egg, cream mixture and yeast mixture and mix well. Dough will be sticky.
- Switch to the dough hook and knead, adding flour if needed, to create a smooth and elastic dough.
- Place dough in a large oiled bowl. Turn dough to coat both sides, cover and let rise until double in size. See this Quick Tip for faster rising.
- Punch down dough and divide into thirds. Shape each piece into a rope about 18 inches long. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, braid the pieces. Make indentation in the top and place red eggs in them.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cover bread loosely and let rise about 20 minutes. Beat remaining whole egg and brush top of braid. Bake for about 1 hour or until instant-read thermometer inserted in center of bread registers 190 degrees.
