Easter Bunny loaf

This Easter Bunny Loaf is a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday with your family and friends. Perfect for brunch, breakfast, or just a sweet treat, this adorable bunny-shaped loaf is soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet. Made with a simple, slightly sweet dough, it’s easy to prepare and a perfect centerpiece for your Easter table.

The loaf is shaped into a cute bunny, complete with ears, a tail, and a face, making it as delightful to look at as it is to eat. You can customize it with icing, colored sugars, or even chocolate chips for the bunny’s eyes and nose. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, this recipe will help you create a memorable Easter treat that everyone will love!

Recipe Overview

Preparation Time: 30 minutes (plus rising time)
Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours (including rising time)
Servings: 8-10 servings
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

Ingredients

For the Dough:

4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
1/2 cup milk, warm (about 110°F/43°C)
1/2 cup water, warm
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Glaze:

1 egg, beaten (for brushing)
1 tablespoon water

For Decoration (optional):

Icing (made from powdered sugar and a little water or milk)
Colored sugars or sprinkles
Chocolate chips (for the bunny’s eyes and nose)

Equipment Needed

Large mixing bowl
Stand mixer or hand mixer (optional, but helpful)
Baking sheet
Parchment paper or a lightly greased baking tray
Rolling pin
Pastry brush
Knife for shaping the dough

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, warm water, and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This indicates that the yeast is active and ready to use.
Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, add the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, along with the egg, vanilla extract, and softened butter. Mix everything together using a wooden spoon or a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Continue mixing until the dough starts to come together.
Knead the Dough: If you’re using your hands, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for 5-6 minutes on medium speed. The dough should be soft, but not sticky. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

First Rise: Lightly grease a bowl and place the dough inside. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until it doubles in size. This is the first rise.

Step 3: Shape the Dough into a Bunny

Punch Down the Dough: Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release any air bubbles. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
Shape the Bunny’s Body: Roll the dough into a large oval shape, about 10-12 inches long, to form the bunny’s body.
Shape the Bunny’s Head: Take a small piece of dough (about 1/3 of the dough) and shape it into a round ball for the bunny’s head. Place it at the top of the body.
Shape the Bunny’s Ears: Divide another small piece of dough into two equal parts. Roll each part into a long, narrow oval shape for the bunny’s ears. Place these pieces on top of the head, positioning them so they look like bunny ears.
Make the Tail: With any remaining dough, roll a small ball for the bunny’s tail. Attach the tail to the lower part of the bunny’s body.
Shape the Bunny’s Features: Use a knife or your fingers to create small indents for the bunny’s eyes, nose, and mouth. You can decorate with chocolate chips for the eyes and nose (or use icing for a more detailed face).

Step 4: Let the Dough Rise Again

Second Rise: Cover the shaped bunny loaf with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise for an additional 30 minutes, or until it becomes puffed and slightly enlarged.

Step 5: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while the dough rises for the second time. This will ensure that the oven is ready when the loaf is done rising.

Step 6: Brush with Egg Wash

Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and 1 tablespoon of water. Gently brush the egg wash over the surface of the bunny loaf using a pastry brush. This will give the loaf a nice golden color when baked.

Step 7: Bake the Easter Bunny Loaf

Baking: Place the loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with foil and continue baking.

Step 8: Cool the Loaf

Once the bunny loaf is done baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before serving. This will give the bread time to set and make it easier to slice.

Step 9: Decorate (Optional)

Once the loaf has cooled, you can decorate it further with icing for the bunny’s face and colored sugars or sprinkles to make it more festive. You can also add a small pink icing or use a pink candy for the bunny’s nose.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy!

Now your Easter Bunny Loaf is ready to serve! It’s a fun, delicious treat for the whole family to enjoy, whether it’s for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet addition to your Easter meal.

Tips for Success

Customize the Decoration: You can use food coloring or colored sugar to make the bunny’s ears, eyes, and tail more vibrant and fun. Add extra details, like a bowtie or little paws, to make your bunny even more charming!
Make Ahead: You can prepare the dough a day in advance and refrigerate it after the first rise. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and proceeding with the second rise.
Check the Bread for Doneness: To ensure the loaf is fully cooked, tap the bottom of the loaf once it’s out of the oven. It should sound hollow. If you have a kitchen thermometer, the internal temperature should read around 190°F (88°C).
Substitute Flavors: If you want to add a twist to the bread, you can include cinnamon or nutmeg in the dough for a spiced version of the loaf. You can also add raisins, chocolate chips, or dried fruit to the dough for extra flavor.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This recipe makes about 8-10 servings. Here’s an approximate breakdown of the nutritional content for one serving (assuming 10 servings per loaf):

Calories: 180 kcal
Total Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 35mg
Sodium: 115mg
Total Carbohydrates: 30g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 5g
Protein: 4g
Vitamin A: 6% of the Daily Value (DV)
Calcium: 2% of the DV
Iron: 6% of the DV

(Note: These values are approximate and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used, such as decorations.)

Conclusion

The Easter Bunny Loaf is not only a delicious bread but also a charming way to celebrate the holiday. Its soft, slightly sweet dough and adorable bunny shape make it a fun centerpiece for your Easter brunch or dinner. With a little creativity, you can decorate it to match the theme of your celebration, and the result is sure to delight both kids and adults alike.

Happy Easter, and enjoy baking your Easter Bunny Loaf!

Recipe Overview