Easter Egg Bread

One of my favorite things about Easter in my home growing up was the special, and super yummy, egg bread that my mother made and we devoured on Easter morning. Our Easter bread is one of those traditions that I love to continue with my own children. It is a great recipe to make with little ones, and it makes me so happy to see them enjoying the Easter bread as I have. I thought I'd pass the recipe on to you, maybe it will be become a part of your tradition!
First things first, we color our uncooked eggs, they cook when the bread is baking in the oven,

Easter Egg Bread
12 eggs in shell, uncooked
Easter egg coloring
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shortening
Grated peel of 2 lemons
2 packages active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110 to 115 degrees F)
2 eggs at room temperature
4 1/2 cups all purpose flour (about)
1 egg beaten
tiny colored candies

~Wash 12 uncooked eggs, tint the shells with egg coloring and set aside.
~Scald the milk;add sugar, salt, shortening, and lemon peel. Cool to lukewarm.
~Sprinkle yeast on warm water; stir to dissolve. Add to milk mixture with the 2 eggs, slightly beaten, and 2 1/2 cup flour. Beat until smooth.
~Stir in enough remaining flour, a little at a time, to form a dough that is easy to handle. Turn onto lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic, 5 to 8 minutes (this is the kids favorite part and for us can go on for 15 minutes or so). Place in a lightly greased bowl; turn over to grease top. Cover and let rise in warm dry place free from drafts until doubled, about 1 hour.
~Punch down (the kids other favorite part); cover and let rise again until almost doubled, about 30 minutes.
~Divide dough into 12 equal parts. Form each part into a ring around a tinted egg.
~Cover; let rise until doubled.
~Brush evenly with beaten egg. Sprinkle with tiny decorating candies.
~Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 15 minutes. Serve warm.
Notes: Easter Egg Bread can be baked the day before. Refrigerate. At serving time reheat at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.

They are so scrumptious,

they don't last long around our house!