Calabrian Easter Bread

This Easter Bread is a traditional Calabrian recipe, make it the Italian way by adding eggs or a sweeter way by adding sprinkles. It is the ultimate no yeast breakfast bread, serve with a cappuccino or caffe latte and start dunking! This Traditional Italian Easter Bread is a must make!

 

Since the age of nine this Italian Easter Bread made me appreciate even more Easter foods, from a Traditional Yeast Bread to Italian Easter Cookies to even a tasty Colomba, although an Easter Scarcelle Pugliese is always worth a try! Although, I am not the only one in my family who married an Italian. My oldest sister started it!

She had a mother-in-law who could cook too. How many times did I go over to her house and when I was asked if I had eaten I would naturally answer that I hadn’t just so I would get an amazing bowl of pasta.

Mamma Jen, as she was affectionately called, seemed to be always in the kitchen stirring up some delicious dish one after the another. The first time my sister arrived bearing this delicious Italian Easter Bread I was sold.

Unfortunately things change, we grow up, people leave us and I received no more Italian Easter Bread. Lucky for me I was still in contact with Mamma Jen’s granddaughter and she so kindly sent me the recipe.

Recipe Ingredients

• Flour – all purpose flour or bread flour, at least 11% protein
• Baking powder –
• Salt
• Eggs – room temperature large eggs
• Sugar – granulated sugar
• Milk – room temperature 2% or whole milk
• Vegetable oil – I use corn or sunflower oil you could also use a light olive oil if you wish

Vanilla Glaze

• Powdered sugar –
• Milk – or cream (any type)
• Vanilla – vanilla extract

Why use room temperature ingredients?

With cakes and other baking, it’s always better to use room temperature ingredients. So, take any cold ingredients out of the refrigerator an hour ahead of time or sooner if it’s cool in your kitchen. Room temperature ingredients blend easier, which will help to create a more tender baked good.

What is the origin of this Easter Bread?

She also informed me that this delicious cake is actually known as  Cuculi, it is an Easter Bread typical to Calabria. I remember that eggs were baked into this cake ring, but since my family is not the hard-boiled egg type I make it without and I sprinkle with nonpareils also known as 100’s and 1000’s.

How to make Easter Bread

I made a little change to the recipe. I always remember this bread being very dry, so to give it a bit of moisture, although it is supposed to be on the dryer side since it is considered a dunking bread. Instead of 6 whole eggs you use 4 whole eggs and 2 egg yolks. I actually halved the recipe so I used 2 whole eggs and 1 egg yolk.

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.

In a large bowl beat the eggs and sugar together, add the milk and combine, then add the vegetable oil and beat to combine. This can also be made in a stand mixer using the flat beaters.

Add the flour mixture to wet mixture, combine on low speed then increase to combine well.

Move the dough to a lightly floured flat surface and gently knead a couple of times to make a dough ball.

If you use a hand beater, the dough may be too stiff to beat, in that case add 3/4 of the dry ingredients and combine with a wooden spoon. Then move the dough mixture to a flat surface add the remaining flour and gently knead to form a smooth compact dough.

Shape the dough into the desired dough forms, such as a loaf or a braid.

Place the dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until lightly golden brown, or until a toothpick comes out dry or with a few crumbs attached.

Cool five minutes on the baking sheet then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Cool completely before drizzling with glaze.

If you wish to add hard boiled eggs, then either use raw dyed or non dyed eggs, carefully place firmly in the dough before baking. If you use eggs rather than sprinkles, then brush the dough with either an egg wash or a little milk before baking. Don’t brush anything on the eggs.

Can this Recipe be halved?

If this recipe is too large for you then yes the recipe can be halved.

Is Easter Bread moist?

This Italian Easter Bread or Cuculi is a typical Italian Bread/Cake that is not too sweet, so an icing sugar glaze is the perfect topping and it is on the drier side this is not one of those moist breads.

This is why it makes the perfect dunking bread / cake with an afternoon tea or coffee. As the Italian says “the perfect dipping sweet bread”.

How to make a bread braid

Roll the dough into two long ropes, pinch the ropes together at one end. Then, begin braiding by crossing the one rope over the other rope, continue until the braid is done. Pinch the end together, then bring the ends together to form a circle.

How to add eggs to the bread

If you do wish to add eggs to your bread, then you can either use dyed or non dyed Raw eggs. Just place them gently but firmly in the dough before baking. The eggs will cook while baking.

How to add the sprinkles or nonpareils before baking

The best way to add them is lightly pressing the sprinkles also known as jimmies or nonpareils onto the top of the cookie dough. This way they won’t roll off the dough.

It’s not a good idea to brush the dough with an egg wash or milk and sprinkle them on, because when baked they will melt into the cookie, and it won’t look too pretty.

When to serve the Calabrese Easter Bread

This is the type of bread that can be served at breakfast, at an Easter brunch, for a snack or even after dinner with a cup of tea, coffee or even a glass of wine.

How to Store Italian Easter Bread

This Easter Bread once baked should be stored in an airtight container and will keep from 7-10 days. If you like you can always slice it then and toast it. A delicious Breakfast idea.

How to freeze it

Wrap the completely cooled bread well in foil then place in a freezer bag, you can also wrap individual slices if you prefer. Then place in the freezer. It will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.

So if you are looking for a delicious Italian Easter recipe then I think this Calabrese Easter Bread is just the thing. Happy Easter and enjoy!

Recipe updated from March 29, 2015.