Easter Bread

This is a very old family recipe handed down from my 84 yr. old husband's aunt, Jane Cwiklinski.
It must be close to 100 years old. She made it for him every year until she passed away & now I carry on the tradition. It is a very sweet bread with the sugar crumb topping & it makes GREAT toast on Easter morning!

SWEET EASTER BREAD

Makes 3 large plus 1 med. sized loaves
or
Makes 2 large plus 3 med. sized loaves

• 6 whole eggs
• 6 egg yolks (use whites in something else)
• 1 Cup sugar
• 1/2 # butter
• 2 Cups milk (divided use)
• 2 packages. dry yeast or 1 lg. cake of yeast
• 3/4 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 oz. brandy (optional~I never use it)
• 7-8 Cups flour (unsifted)

Warm 3/4 cup milk & add yeast plus 3/4 C. flour to make a thick sponge. Set aside in warm place to rise. To the rest of the warm milk, add butter & salt. Set aside & allow to melt. Beat eggs & sugar until thick. Set aside. In a large bowl, add 7 to 8 cups of flour. Add the milk with the butter & salt. Add the yeast sponge, beaten eggs, vanilla & brandy. Mix thoroughly. Knead well, adding flour as needed, until dough leaves your hands. Cover & let rise in a warm place until double in size. Punch down & let rise again. Put into greased bread pans & let rise again. Brush tops with 1 beaten egg then sprinkle crumb topping. Bake for 35 min. at 350º.

CRUMB TOPPING

• 1/2 Cup sugar
• 1/2 Cup flour
• 4 Tablespoons. butter

Mix well & sprinkle on top of bread loaves then bake. Cool on racks. I make this to give away as gifts at Easter. You may certainly cut the amounts in half to make less loaves.


 Printable Recipe HERE.

I embroidered DGD, Ms. C. this apron last year.
The grass is fringe & makes it 3-dimensional

We sure have fun together in the kitchen!
These photos are from last year
but I wanted to post the recipe,
in case someone wanted to try it soon.

I hope to get some nicer ones
with my new camera next week.
I'm linking with the beautiful blog,
Designs by Gollum for



Thanks for joining us at The Gazebo House.
Happy Easter!