Babee’s Easter bread recipe for a delicious celebration

Ingredients for Babee's Easter bread

• 11 g dry yeast

• 60 ml full-fat milk, warmed

• 480 g plain flour, sifted

• 1 g salt

• 60 g unsalted butter, melted (European style recommended)

• 1 g anise

• juice and zest of 1 orange

• 120 ml water

• 2 eggs, at room temperature

• 1 g mastic (optional)

• 50 g caster sugar

• 1 egg, lightly beaten with 60 ml water (for egg wash)

• 50 g sesame seeds

How to make Babee's Easter bread

1. Dissolve the yeast in the warmed milk. Cover the mixture and set aside in a warm place to rise for 15 minutes.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the flour, salt, and melted butter. Add the anise, orange juice, zest, and water, and mix until combined.

3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the mastic, sugar, and the risen yeast mixture until fully incorporated.

4. Using the dough hook attachment of your electric mixer (or your hands), knead the mixture for approximately 10 minutes. Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rise in a warm place (such as an oven preheated to 90°C) until it doubles in size, about 2 hours.

5. Remove the dough from the bowl and beat it down to deflate it. Divide the dough into three equal pieces and roll each piece into a length of about 30 cm. Braid the three pieces together.

6. Place the braided dough in a greased large loaf pan (approximately 13 x 25 cm) or a greased baking tray. Return the dough to the warm oven and allow it to rise again until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.

7. Brush the top of the dough with an egg wash using a pastry brush and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

8. Preheat the oven to 180°C (conventional) and bake the bread for approximately 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.