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Easter Bread
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Healthy Braided Easter Bread with Raisins (Pane Di Pasqua)

Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rise Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings 12 slices
Calories 202kcal
Author Maria

Equipment

  • Oven

Ingredients

For the Dough

  • 3½-4 cup Wholemeal flour
  • ½ cup Fructose sugar + 1 tsp
  • ¾ cup Skim milk
  • 12 g Instant yeast
  • ¼ cup Butter
  • 2 Eggs
  • ½ cup Raisins
  • 1 cup Boiled water
  • ⅛ tsp Salt

For the Egg Wash

  • 1 Egg beaten
  • 1 tsp Water

For Decoration

  • 4 Raw eggs
  • ½ cup Boiling water
  • 20 drops Food Coloring
  • 1 tsp Vinegar

Instructions

  • For plumping the raisins: add the raisins in a bowl, and combine with boiled water. Let sit for 10 min then drain well and set aside.
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  • For preparing the yeast mixture: Combine the warm milk with sugar and sprinkle the yeast on top. Stir and let sit at room temp until foamy (around 10 min).
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  • In a large bowl, Start by whisking the sugar and butter together.
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  • Beat in the egg and vanilla extract on high speed until combined.
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  • Add in the yeast mixture and beat again. Using the dough hook attachment mix in the flour 1 cup at a time until well incorporated.
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  • Mix in the the plumped raisins. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, hand knead for 2-3 min and form the dough into a ball.
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  • Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Bulk proof the dough either in a warm place for 1-2h or overnight in the fridge based on your available time.
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  • Once the dough has doubled turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into 3 equal parts.
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  • Gently roll each into strands.
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  • Pinch one end of all three ropes together and braid the strands loosely.
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  • Shape the braid into a ring on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave to rise for about 60min.
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  • Meanwhile, in a bowl add ½ cup of boiling water, 1tsp vinegar and about 20 drops of food coloring till you achieve your desired color. Mix well.
    Then add in the raw egg and soak for 10min till the egg is the desired color.
    Set aside to dry.
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  • Preheat oven to 180°C.
    Brush the ring with the egg wash. Gently tuck the dyed, raw eggs into the braid. 
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  • Bake in oven for 30min, or until the ring is golden brown.
    Serve and enjoy!
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