Name: Easter Brioche Bread Bunnies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 160 min
Ingredients: 2½ cups flour (all purpose; ¼ teaspoon salt; 2½ tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 zest lemon; 1½ teaspoons active dry yeast; 1 large egg (room temperature); 2 tablespoons butter (softened/salted); 1 teaspoon vanilla; ½ cup + ½ tablespoon milk (room temperature) I used whole milk; 1 egg; 1 tablespoon water; 2 tablespoons nonpareils (if desired)

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These cute little Easter Brioche Bread Bunnies are made with a soft and delicious brioche bread, that is easy to make & easy to work with. The kids will love giving you a hand in the kitchen making them for Easter. Perfect as a breakfast treat or even dessert!

bunnies in a basket and one leaning against the basket

It’s Easter everywhere now, chocolate eggs wrapped in fancy paper with beautiful bows, some of my favourite chocolate turned into mini eggs, and of course these adorable sweet dough bunnies. I have always wanted to make them, and when my friend showed me how simple they are to create I knew I had to share them with you too!

Table of Contents

Recipe Ingredients

Flour – all purpose flour
Salt – if you use unsalted butter then add a bit more salt
Sugar – granulated sugar
Lemon – zest of one lemon
Yeast – active dry yeast
Egg – whole egg room temperature
Butter – softened butter
Vanilla – vanilla extract
Milk – lukewarm milk 2% or whole milk

What is the best temperature for liquid in yeast bread?

I always make sure my water or milk is lukewarm between 98-105F (36-40C). The liquid shouldn’t be hot or it will kill the yeast. It can even be room temperature, although it may take a little longer for your dough to rise, but longer rising time results in a more flavourful dough.

How to make them

In a large bowl or stand up mixer whisk together the flour, salt and sugar, add the yeast and mix gently. Make a well in the middle and add the egg, butter, vanilla and milk, mix with a fork until it is almost combined.

mixing the dry ingredients in a bowl and the egg & milk added

With the dough hook attachment, knead the dough until smooth, the dough will remain a little sticky, (this dough can also be kneaded by hand).

the dough just mixed, the dough knead until smooth.

Move the dough to a lightly floured flat surface and form into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate.

the dough before and after refrigerated.

Remove the dough from the fridge and form the bunnies.

To form the body, remove a piece of dough and roll into a long rope, roll up the rope from the left to the right leaving a piece sticking out to form the front foot, remove a piece of dough and roll into a ball to form the head attach to the body, remove a piece and shape into an oval and slice in the middle 3/4 the ways down, do not cut through, shape the 2 pieces into ears, attach to the head, remove a small piece of dough and make a round ball and attach to the body for the tail.

forming the dough into the shape of a bunny. A piece of dough rolled to a rope, 2 balls and ears.

Place the bunnies on the prepared cookie sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled.

The bunnies on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet before and after rising.

Brush the bread with an egg wash, sprinkle with nonpareils if desired and bake. Immediately move them to a wire rack to cool completely.

The bread brushed with egg wash and sprinkled with nonpareils before and after baked.

What is brioche?

Originating in France, brioche bread is known for its thin outer golden-brown crust and versatility as it is used for so many things such as Easy Bread Pudding.

The addition of sugar, however, didn’t come until later which took it from bread to pastry.

Now that sugar has been added to the recipe, it allows for the addition of other things like raisins which makes it the perfect breakfast or dessert.

If you have ever bought brioche in a store you’ll know it is more expensive than regular bread. This is because of the increased amount of eggs and butter and the more expensive the ingredients, the more expensive the bread.

How to know when the bread is done

The finished bread should be golden brown on the top, if the bread is browning too much before it is done, then cover it with foil and continue baking. The bread is done when the inside temperature reaches 190F (88C) or when knocked on the bottom there is a hollow sound.

How to store it

To store the baked bread place it in an airtight container or bag. It will keep at room temperature for a few days, or in the fridge for around a week. Although keeping it in the fridge could dry it out. Warm it in a low oven for about 10 minutes before serving.

How to freeze it

The dough can also be frozen, be sure to freeze it after the final rise in a freezer safe bag or container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.

When ready to make, thaw the dough overnight in the fridge, then bring to room temperature (about an hour should do), shape and bake the dough as directed in the recipe.

You can also freeze the baked dough, be sure to cool the dough completely then wrap in plastic or foil and place in a freezer safe bag. The bread will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer.

More Delicious Sweet Bread Recipes

So if you are looking for a cute and delicious addition to your Easter Table why not try these Easter Brioche Bread Bunnies and let me know what you think.