Italian Easter Bread

Name: Italian Easter Bread
Ingredients: 1 cup milk; 2 1/4 ounce packets active dry yeast; 1tsp vanilla; 1 tsp anise; 4 eggs; 1/2 cup sugar; 4 1/2 cups flour; Zest of 1 lemon; 1 tsp salt; 1 stick butter cut into 1 inch pieces; Egg wash; 1 egg; 1 tbs water

13 ingredients

1 steps

Ingredients

1 cup milk
2 1/4 ounce packets active dry yeast
1tsp vanilla
1 tsp anise
4 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
4 1/2 cups flour
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tsp salt
1 stick butter cut into 1 inch pieces
Egg wash
1 egg
1 tbs water

Directions

1

["In a small saucepan heat the milk over medium to 110 F. Add the yeast to a small bowl with the warm milk and whisk it with 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Let sit until foamy (about 5 minutes).", "", "Whisk in the eggs, anise and vanilla; set aside.", "", "In a large bowl whisk together the rest of the sugar, flour, lemon zest, and salt.", "", "Pour the flour mixture in the bowl of a mixer. With dough hook attached and mixer on medium speed, slowly add the milk .", "", "", "Add the butter 1 tablespoon at a time and let it get gently incorporated into the dough.", "", "Be sure to mix well when all the butter is added (about 3-5 minutes). Adding more flour until your dough is stiff not sticky.", "", "Put a little flour on the counter and scrape the dough out of mixer. Knead the dough a little and shape the dough into a ball.", "", "Oil a large glass bowl and place the dough in there too rest. Rub a little oil on top of the dough and cover for about 1-1 1/2 hours.", "", "Punch down the dough.", "", "Divide the dough into 3 portions. Roll each portion into a strip about 15\" long. Pinch the ends and start the braid...you can leave as a long braid or pinch ends together to form a wreath.""