EASTER BREAD (PANE DI PASQUA)

SERVING: 2 LARGE RINGS OR 3 LOAVES                                                       PREP TIME: 3 HOURS
COOK TIME: 20 - 25 MINUTES
 
Ingredients:
1 ¼ cup milk – slightly warm
1 ½ tbsp instant dry yeast
1 1/3 cups sugar
4 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
½ cup canola oil
2 tbsp Anice liqueur
1 large orange zested and juiced
7 – 7 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 egg yolk whisked with 2 tbsp milk, for brushing
 
Directions:

1. In a bowl add the milk, sugar, eggs, oil, Anice and orange juice and zest. Wisk together until combined.
2. In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and mix together with a fork.
3. Knead the dough with your hands or in a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment. Combine the dough until it comes together with the mixer or if mixing by hand, turn the dough out onto a work surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not sticky. Add up to an additional ½ cup of flour, if required.  
4. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a tea towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 90 minutes.
5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and roll into a log. Divide the dough into two or three sections depending on the size of the breads you want to make. This dough makes two large rings or three loaves. Cut each section into three equal pieces and roll out each section into a thin rope. Pinch the ends of the three pieces together and loosely braid into a long loaf or into a ring. Tuck in the end pieces and pinch to close. Repeat with the braiding process with the remaining sections.  Place the loaf/ring on a lined baking tray and pinch the ends to close. Place each bread at least 2-inches apart on the tray.
6. Cover the tray with plastic wrap and a large kitchen towel and let the breads rise for an additional 60 minutes, until almost doubled in size.
7. Preheat the oven to 350 F and brush the breads with the egg wash.
8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a rich golden brown.

 
Buon Appetito!