abracanabra | Easter Bread Unsatisfactory (Reply)

Looks pretty, though, doesn't it?

I'm putting these notes to myself so that, next year around Easter when I start looking for a recipe, I'll look up this entry and see what my thoughts were.

I used Allrecipes.com's "Easter Bread Ring" recipe, minus the almonds and anise seed, but with dried fruit in place of candied fruit (other recipes called for dried fruit). Do not do that again. It turned out kinda tough and dry, and the fruit tasted nasty once baked. Of note--2 strands work very well for making the braid--three would be more work than necessary.

Rising time--the rising times were pretty bad, and it didn't rise properly. Remember to start baking this early in the day. Also, use the microwaveable heating pads to wrap around the bowl to get it nice and toasty.

Fruit & nuts--No, don't do it! Ick. I have discovered that I do not like fruit and nuts in my yeast breads. (There is only one exception, and that is cinnamon-raisin bread.) I ended up picking off the bits of fruit before eating.

Frosting--Frosting is a good thing, and so are sprinkles. Yum. Make more frosting than you think you'll need. Also, you are not a huge fan of the easy powdered sugar & milk frosting, because it tastes "raw". Try other frosting recipes. Cream cheese frosting, perhaps? Or a glaze?

Easter Eggs--You may think they look pretty (and they do), but they freak Phil the hell out. And make the bread "smell like eggs." Remember, eggs are his enemy. Be nice and only put 2 or 3 in. Also, you will be eating all those boiled eggs all by your lonesome.