Osterbrot: German Easter Bread Recipe

Bread Machine German Easter Bread Recipe Osterbrot Hefezopf

Osterbrot: German Easter Bread Recipe

Mary

The Osterbrot: German Easter Bread Recipe is also known as Hefezopf. A sweet European bread made from eggs right in your kitchen.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 3

Total Time 3 5

Course Side Dish

Cuisine German

Servings

Calories 407 kcal

Ingredients

1 cup Lukewarm milk between 105 and 110 degrees
2 lightly beaten Whole Eggs room temperature
3 TBS Melted Butter
1/2 cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
3 Cups of Flour bread flour
Package Active dry yeast
Cup Raisins or yellow or black Currants optional

Instructions

In a liquid measuring cup, mix together your milk and yeast to make a yeast mixture.
Set aside to proof for 5 minutes. While it’s proofing, continue your recipe.
Add to your bread pan everything in order of recipe or as per recommendation from the manufacturer: eggs, butter, sugar, salt, and flour.
Once the milk mixture of yeast and milk has sat for 5 minutes, evenly pour over your flour.
Set your bread machine to basic, and 2 lb. Choose your crust preference. My family prefers a medium crust. However, most recommend the light setting.
Once the bread machine has finished its first kneading cycle (and before it has started the second kneading cycle), add your raisins or currents.
When the cycle has completed, remove the pan from the machine and let cool for 5 minutes.
Our bread machine normally takes about 3 hours to complete the cycle. However, every bread machine is different and yours can take less time or take longer.
Remove bread from the pan and let cool on a wire rack.
Remove the dough hook or wait until the bread has cooled completely.
Cut and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Supplies Needed

Kitchen Bamboo Bread Slicer
Buddeez Sandwich Size Bread Buddy Dispenser
Bread Machine
Measuring cup
Wire cooling rack
Large bowl
Sharp knife

Braided Variation

If you prefer a braided German Easter Bread, you can make the dough only in the bread machine and bake it the rest of the way in the oven.

Place ingredients in the bread machine in order listed.

Hit the dough-only cycle.

Once finished, remove from the bread pan and transfer dough to a lightly floured surface or parchment paper.

Smooth dough to form into a large dough ball and place in a large mixing bowl.

Slice into 3 sections and roll them in long strands.

Start braiding until you reach the end and tuck in the loose ends underneath.

Rather than a traditional braid, you can also create an Easter wreath shape.

Place balls of aluminum foil into the crevices where you will place the hard boiled eggs.

Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel or damp tea towel and set in a warm place to let the dough rise for another hour.

In a small bowl, make an egg wash from egg whites, egg yolks, or a whole egg, (whichever you prefer, they all work) and water and brush the top of the dough before placing it in a 350-degree oven for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Once finished, replace the aluminum foil balls with dyed hard boiled eggs.

Top with a glaze:

1 cup of powdered sugar
2 TBS of warm milk
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
Almonds or Easter sprinkles

In a separate bowl, mix together the ingredients above until smooth.

Pour over the top and top with Easter sprinkles or almond slivers.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 407kcalCarbohydrates: 76gProtein: 10gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 425mgFiber: 3gSugar: 27g

Keyword bread, bread machine, easter, easter recipe, easter recipes, white bread

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!