Easter Celebration  

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Custom dictates that eggs, dyed a scarlet red, be baked in the braided crown of this Greek Easter bread.

Ingredients:

• 3 1/4 teaspoons dry active yeast
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup milk, warmed to 110°F
• 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon zest
• 1 1/2 teaspoons anise seed, crushed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 7 large eggs, 3 left whole and dyed red
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
• 1 large egg white, lightly beaten

Preparazione:

     1. Make the dough:
Coat a large bowl with oil and set aside. Dissolve the yeast and 1 tablespoon brown sugar in the heated milk in a small bowl. Combine 4 1/2 cups flour, the remaining sugar, zest, anise, and salt in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment and mix on low speed.

Add the 4 undyed eggs, the yeast mixture, and the melted butter and continue to mix on low speed until a firm dough forms, adding more flour if necessary (or combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until a firm dough forms).

Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead by hand until it is soft and elastic — about 10 minutes. If mixing by hand, knead the dough for 10 more minutes. Form the dough into a ball and transfer it to the prepared bowl, turning to coat all sides with oil. Cover with a clean, damp kitchen towel and set aside to rise in a warm, draft-free place until it doubles in volume — about 1 hour.

     2. Shape the loaf: Preheat oven to 350°F. Punch down dough, turn out onto a lightly floured board, and divide into three equal parts, approximately 15 ounces each. Using the palms of your hands, roll out one piece to create a 2 1/2-foot-long rope. Repeat with the remaining 2 dough pieces. Braid the three strands together and seal the ends under each other to create a circle. Transfer to a baking sheet. Place the dyed eggs, evenly spaced, in the grooves of the braid, cover with a towel, and let rise until doubled — about 40 minutes.

     3. Bake the bread: Brush the loaf with the beaten egg white and bake until loaf is golden and sounds hollow when tapped — about 30 minutes. Transfer the finished loaf to a wire rack to cool. Serve at room temperature.