This bread was first created to celebrate the harvest. It has migrated to a traditional Easter bread. While called bread, it is sweet, and almost cake like.
Italian Easter Bread
Ingredients
- 4 cups flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 Tbs lemon zest
- 1/2 cup butter, soft
- 1/2 Tbs baking powder
- 1 tsp poppy seeds (optional)
- 1 egg
Directions
- Place the flour on your work surface, creating a well in the center.
- Alternating, add the dry and wet ingredients to the well. After each ingredient is added mix well with fingers or a fork.
- Add flour if needed to make a workable dough.
- Knead the dough until it is smooth.
- Shape the dough into a ring.
- Beat the egg lightly with water.
- Brush the top of the ring with the egg wash.
- Bake at 350F for 40 minutes, or until the bread is golden.
Note:If you want your ring to be "perfect" you can use a springform pan with the center insert. This will allow you to have a picture perfect ciambellone.
Dust the ciambellone bread with confectioner's (powdered) sugar or use colored sugar as a topping. This bread can be made ahead and frozen. If you plan to freeze it, don't use the colored sugar. The colors run when it defrosts.
Ciambellone makes a great breakfast bread. Slice it up and toast it and spread a thin layer of butter on top. Hmmmmm!
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