Easter bread with dyed eggs

SERVES 12

PREP + COOK TIME 1 HOUR 20 MIN

½ cup (110g) caster sugar

1 ½ cups (375ml) warm water

1 teaspoon dried yeast

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon finely grated orange rind

1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

1 egg, beaten lightly

4 cups (600g) plain flour, plus extra for kneading

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon water

2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar

DYED EGGS

2 teaspoons each red, blue, green food colouring

3 eggs (see tip)

1 Combine 1 teaspoon of the sugar and warm water in a large bowl. Sprinkle yeast over; stand for 10 minutes. Add oil, the remaining sugar, salt, orange rind, vanilla and egg, mixing until well combined. Stir in half of the flour until combined. Add remaining flour. Dough should be sticky.

2 Cover dough and stand for 10 minutes. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes. Add flour as dough becomes sticky.

3 Place dough in a lightly oiled large bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and stand in a warm place for 2 hours or until dough has doubled in size.

4 Grease and line a large oven tray with baking paper. Punch down dough. Divide into 3 equal portions. Roll each into a long strand. Plait strands together and transfer to prepared tray. Curl plait around to form a round, gently pressing ends together. Cover and set aside to rise for 1 hour.

5 To make the dyed eggs, place 1 cup (250ml) water into each of three small bowls. Add red food colouring to one, blue food colouring to another and green food colouring to the third. Place eggs in a small saucepan, covering with cold water. Gently bring to a simmer over low-medium heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Drain, then immediately place an egg in each bowl, ensuring egg is completely submerged. Stand for approximately 30 minutes. Remove egg and dry on a paper towel.

6 Preheat oven to 200°C. Press dyed eggs into top of dough round. Whisk egg yolk and 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl, brushing over dough. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake for 30 minutes or until bread is a deep golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the base.