Description
This delightful Easter Bunny Bread recipe is a fun and festive yeast bread shaped like an adorable bunny, perfect for celebrating the holiday with family and friends. Soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet, this bread uses basic pantry ingredients and is baked to a golden brown perfection. Its charming presentation makes it a centerpiece on any Easter table.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast; let sit for 5 minutes until bubbly. This activates the yeast and ensures it’s alive and ready to help the dough rise.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour and salt; gradually combine with the yeast mixture along with melted butter and eggs until forming a shaggy dough. Mixing these together forms the base of your bread.
- Knead the Dough: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. This develops the gluten which is essential for a soft, airy texture.
- First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours. This rising period is crucial for flavor and lightness.
- Shape the Bunny: Punch down the dough to release air. Shape one large piece into an oval for the body, and form smaller pieces for the ears and feet. Assemble the pieces together to create the bunny shape on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the shaped bunny bread for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. The bread is baked until it achieves a beautiful crust and is cooked through.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- Kneading time is important for the right texture; do not rush this step.
- For a shinier crust, brush the baked bread with melted butter right after it comes out of the oven.
- Let the bread cool completely before slicing to prevent it from becoming gummy.
- You can add raisins or chocolate chips for extra flavor when shaping the bunny.
