March 28, 2017

Italian Easter Bread With Colored Eggs {Corona Pasquale} Easter Tradition

Name: Italian Easter Bread with Colored Eggs
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 35 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 1 cup 120 grams Unbleached All-Purpose Flour; 1/2 cup 113 gramscool water; 1/8 teaspoon instant yeast; 2 1/4 cups 269 grams Unbleached All-Purpose Flour; 1 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons instant yeast; 1/3 cup 67 grams granulated sugar; 4 Tablespoons 57 grams unsalted butter, at room temperature; 2 large eggs; 1 large egg yolk; 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract + 1/4 teaspoon orange oil { I used 1/4 teaspoon Fiori di Sicilia}*; 1/4 teaspoon ground anise seed; grated peel of 1 large orange; 6 dyed raw eggs - they will cook as the bread bakes; 1 cup 113 grams confectioners' sugar, sifter; 2 to 3 Tablespoons 23 - 43 grams orange juice; decorating sugar for sprinkling on top -- can also use nonpareils for decorating

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As long as I can remember, my mamma would make an Italian Easter Bread {Corona pasquale}. She would twist long ropes of dough and then pinch the ends to form a ring. She then would nestle colored eggs in between the ropes.

When I asked why she made our Italian Easter bread that way, she explained that the crown represented the crown of thorns on Christ’s head. The eggs represented rebirth — Christ rising from the dead after the third day.

On the Italian Easter table, bread has a religious significance — Christ is often referred to as “the bread of life.” This is a time for rejoicing. After the 40 days in Lent, it’s time to celebrate. . . . nature is coming to life all around us.

I remember getting Easter greeting cards from our relatives in Italy. They usually consisted of little fuzzy chicks and a basket of eggs.

My mamma and papa would always comment — Ecco! L’ouva va con il pulcino no con il coniglietto, non è giusto { There! The eggs goes with the chick not the bunny, that’s not right}.

I really never got into it with them. How was I supposed to explain to them that the rabbit is known as an extremely fertile creature and it symbolized the coming of spring? So, I just kept quiet and let them ponder why Americans did it this way.

The recipe I used for the Italian Easter bread is not quite like mamma made. Her bread’s texture was more like a brioche. She never wrote down recipes — they were all in her head. Nevertheless, this recipe is very good and it’s also easy to make whereas brioche can sometimes be a little bit more challenging.

Celebrating Easter has always been a family affair for us, although in Italy it isn’t as family centered as Christmas. There is an old saying:” Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi” { Christmas at home with your family, Easter with whomever you please.

I simply can’t imagine wanting to spend Easter with anyone other than my family. 🙂

The Ave Maria is one of my parents favorite. I’ve included this rendition, which is absolutely beautiful, if you’d like to listen, here it is:

Tutti a tavola è pronto!

Un caro saluto e alla prossima!