No-knead Easter Bread

No-knead brioche dough makes this chocolate and pecan swirled Easter bread simple to make.  No-knead Easter Bread with a hint of citrus is tender and buttery.

Just take a look at those swirls of chocolate and pecans.  No-knead brioche dough is a dream come true in making this delicate bread for Easter morning.  The dough requires a few folds with refrigeration time inbetween.  Followed by an overnight rest in the refrigerator which makes the dough extremely easy to roll, shape, rise, and bake.

No-knead Easter Bread Brioche Dough

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1. In a large bowl add flour, yeast, salt, and the zest. Stir together and set aside.  In a separate bowl mix eggs, water, and sugar until the sugar has dissolved. Whisk in the melted butter until smooth.
2.  Add egg mixture into the flour mixture.
3. Stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until a mass is formed and no dry flour remains. About 1 minute.
4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand for 10 minutes.

Holding the edge of the dough with your fingertips, fold the dough over its self by gently lifting the dough and folding the dough toward the middle. Turn the bowl 45 degrees and fold again for a total of 8 times. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes. Repeat the folding and rising 3 more times. After the 4th set of folds cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 16 hours and up to 24 hours.

Easter Bread Filling

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1. Gather and measure ingredients for the filling
2. In a medium-size mixing bowl beat egg whites and salt until frothy and stiff peaks form.
3. Slowly add sugar and beat until thick and glossy.
4. Mix in cocoa powder.
5. Gently fold in chopped pecans, and chocolate.
6. Set aside while rolling out the dough.

Filling and Shaping Easter Bread

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Line a 9 x 5-inch bread pan with parchment or generously butter the sides and bottom of the pan. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350℉ 30 minutes prior to baking.

1. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and divide dough in half. Reserving 1/2 of the dough for another use. With the remaining 1/2 divide into thirds (approx 200 gr).
2. Gently press or roll each third into a strip that is 12-inches long and 5-inches wide. Divide filling equally between each rectangle. Spread over the dough leaving a 1/2 inch border. Carefully roll up dough lengthwise and pinch the seam along the long side. Repeat on the remaining dough.   Place the three filled doughs next to each other seam side down and braid them together.

Baking

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1. Place in prepared pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for about 50 minutes or until the dough is a bit more than 50 percent risen.  Whisk egg with one tablespoon of water and brush over the dough. Bake loaf for 40-50 minutes or until the internal temperature of the bread is 190℉. If the bread begins to brown too much, cover with a sheet of aluminum foil about halfway through. If an instant-read thermometer isn’t available, use a wooden screwer and insert it into the bread. The screwer should come out clean when the bread has completely baked.  Whisk egg with one tablespoon of water and brush over the dough. Bake loaf for 40-50 minutes or until the internal temperature of the bread is 190℉. If the bread begins to brown too much, cover with a sheet of aluminum foil about halfway through. If an instant-read thermometer isn’t available, use a wooden screwer and insert it into the bread. The screwer should come out clean when the bread has completely baked. 
2. Transfer the loaf to a cooling rack. Brush the top with softened butter.
3. Sprinkle with coarse sanding sugar. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of the pan and carefully turn the loaf onto the rack to cool completely. If you have lined the pan with parchment, carefully lift the sides of the parchment and place bread on the cooling rack.

Try to resist slicing the bread before it has completely cooled.  Sweet and butter Easter bread.  If by chance you have leftovers, try making Easter bread french toast.  Amazing!!

5 from 3 votes

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No-knead Easter Bread

No-knead brioche dough filled with chocolate and pecans. Braided into a beautiful Easter Bread.

Course Breads

Cuisine Romanian

Keyword Easter Bread, No-knead brioche dough, No-knead Easter Bread, Romanian Easter Bread

Prep Time 40 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

overnight rise 18 hours

Servings 12

Calories 391 kcal

Author Janet Barton

Ingredients

No-knead Brioche

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp yeast granulated
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter melted
• 1 tbsp orange zest (optional)
• 1 tbsp lemon zest (optional)

Filling

• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup pecans toasted, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate finely chopped

Shaping and Finishing

• 1 egg beaten
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp sugar coarse

Instructions

No-Knead Brioche

1. In a large bowl add flour, yeast, salt, and the zest. Stir together and set aside.

2. In a separate bowl mix eggs, water, and sugar until the sugar has dissolved. Whisk in the melted butter until smooth.

3. Add egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until a mass is formed and no dry flour remains. About 1 minute. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand for 10 minutes.

4. Holding the edge of the dough with your fingertips, fold the dough over its self by gently lifting the dough and folding the dough toward the middle. Turn the bowl 45 degrees and fold again for a total of 8 times. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let rise for 30 minutes. Repeat the folding and rising 3 more times. After the 4th set of folds cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 16 hours and up to 24 hours.

5. Line a 9 x 5-inch bread pan with parchment or generously butter the sides and bottom of the pan. Set aside.

6. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and divide dough in half. Reserving 1/2 of the dough for another use. With the remaining 1/2 divide into thirds. Gently press or roll each third into a strip that is 12-inches long and 5-inches wide. Divide filling equally between each rectangle. Spread over the dough leaving a 1/2 inch border. Carefully roll up dough lengthwise and pinch the seam along the long side. Repeat on the remaining dough.

7. Place the three filled doughs next to each other seam side down and braid them together. Place in prepared pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for about 50 minutes or until the dough is a bit more than 50 percent risen.

8. Preheat oven to 350℉ 30 minutes prior to baking. Whisk egg with one tablespoon of water and brush over the dough. Bake loaf for 40-50 minutes or until the internal temperature of the bread is 190℉. If the bread begins to brown too much, cover with a sheet of aluminum foil about halfway through. If an instant-read thermometer isn't available, use a wooden screwer and insert it into the bread. The screwer should come out clean when the bread has completely baked.

9. Transfer the loaf to a cooling rack. Brush the top with softened butter then sprinkle with coarse sanding sugar. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of the pan and carefully turn the loaf onto the rack to cool completely. If you have lined the pan with parchment, carefully lift the sides of the parchment and place bread on the cooling rack.

Filling

1. In a medium-size mixing bowl beat egg whites and salt until frothy and stiff peaks form. Slowly add sugar and beat until thick and glossy. Mix in cocoa powder. Gently fold in chopped pecans, and chocolate.

Recipe Notes

• No-knead brioche dough recipe makes enough dough for 2 loaves of bread.  This recipe will only use 1/2 of the dough.  Reserve other have for another use.
• Keeping the dough chilled helps make braiding easier.  If dough becomes too soft, chill for 15-20 minutes.
• Dough requires overnight chill in refrigerator.  Plan accordingly.
• Baked Easter bread will freeze well for at least a week.

Nutrition Facts

No-knead Easter Bread

Amount Per Serving (1 slice)

Calories 391 Calories from Fat 180

% Daily Value*

Fat 20g31%

Saturated Fat 10g50%

Cholesterol 99mg33%

Sodium 475mg20%

Potassium 166mg5%

Carbohydrates 46g15%

Fiber 3g12%

Sugar 16g18%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 454IU9%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 28mg3%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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