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Celebrate the spirit of spring with a delicious collection of 26+ Italian Easter bread recipes that capture tradition, flavor, and festive beauty.
From soft, sweet braided loaves fragrant with citrus and anise to savory, cheese-studded rings bursting with rich, rustic flavors, these breads bring warmth and joy to your holiday table.
Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or simply savoring a taste of Italy’s rich culinary heritage, these breads offer endless versatility.
Enjoy them fresh from the oven, paired with cheeses and meats, or alongside coffee and sweet spreads — each bite is a celebration of both flavor and tradition.
26+Easy and Flavorful Italian Easter Bread Recipes to Bake This Season
With over 26 Italian Easter bread recipes to explore, you have a wealth of options for bringing traditional flavors to your kitchen this spring.
From the soft, sweet textures of braided breads to the savory richness of salami and cheese-stuffed loaves, these recipes offer something for every palate and occasion.
Experiment, share, and delight in the timeless appeal of these festive breads that have been celebrated in Italian homes for generations.
Pane di Pasqua
Soft, golden, and slightly sweet, Pane di Pasqua is the crown jewel of Italian Easter baking.
Braided with care and nestled with colorful dyed eggs, it fills the kitchen with the warm scent of vanilla, citrus zest, and baking dough.
Its delicate crumb and glossy crust make it ideal for Easter brunch spreads or afternoon coffee breaks.
Enjoy a slice on its own, lightly toasted, or paired with soft cheeses and fruit for a festive twist.
Sicilian Easter Rings
These charming ring-shaped loaves offer a sweet and subtly spiced bite wrapped in tradition.
Made with anise seeds, orange zest, and a touch of honey, the aroma is warm and inviting—like a bakery on a spring morning.
Perfect for gifting, serving with tea, or enjoying alongside ham or cheeses, their versatility matches their beauty.
A celebration in every slice, soft and full of nostalgic flavor.
Colomba di Pasqua
This iconic dove-shaped Easter bread is rich, fluffy, and aromatic—like panettone’s lighter, airier cousin.
Infused with orange peel and topped with pearl sugar and almonds, it bakes into a golden, fragrant loaf that melts in your mouth.
Slice it for breakfast with coffee, serve it with whipped mascarpone, or enjoy it simply as a sweet Easter treat.
Light and elegant, yet deeply satisfying.
Pane Dolce
Pane Dolce is a sweet bread enriched with raisins, citrus zest, and a hint of vanilla, braided into a stunning centerpiece.
Its scent—rich with butter and fruit—fills the air, promising comfort and celebration in each slice.
Soft and tender with a slight chew, it pairs beautifully with jams, spreads, or a drizzle of honey.
This bread brings a gentle sweetness to both the Easter table and everyday moments.
Easter Brioche
Fluffy, golden, and slightly eggy, this Italian Easter Brioche is the ultimate comfort bread.
Rich in butter and delicately sweet, its pillow-soft texture makes it irresistible fresh from the oven or lightly toasted.
Ideal for sweet breakfasts, elegant sandwiches, or savoring alone with a pat of butter.
It’s a timeless classic that elevates every Easter morning.
Pane di Zucca
With a warm orange hue and subtle sweetness, Pane di Zucca (Pumpkin Easter Bread) offers a unique twist on tradition.
Fragrant with cinnamon and nutmeg, and boasting a moist, velvety crumb, it fills your kitchen with a cozy, spiced aroma.
Enjoy it alongside roasted meats, with cream cheese, or simply as a sweet snack during the Easter season.
A delightful bread that bridges rustic charm and springtime celebration.
Pane di Pasqua
Rich and braid‑like, this classic Pane di Pasqua is slightly sweet and tender.
The dough releases a warm aroma of vanilla, citrus zest, and fresh yeast as it rises.
Finished with dyed eggs and colorful sprinkles, it’s perfect for an Easter brunch centerpiece, enjoyed on its own or alongside soft cheese and preserves.
Colomba di Pasqua
This dove‑shaped Colomba di Pasqua is an airy, buttery treat studded with candied citrus and glazed with sugar and almonds.
Baking it releases sweet citrus fragrances while the crisp sugar topping offers texture contrast.
Delicious toasted with butter for breakfast, or served as dessert with a spoonful of mascarpone.
Traditional Sweet Easter Bread
A soft brioche‑style wreath, the Traditional Sweet Easter Bread is fragrant with lemon zest and brown sugar.
It bakes into a golden ring flecked with brightly dyed eggs and sprinkled with nonpareils.
Ideal for slicing and pairing with espresso, or as a sweet appetizer at holiday gatherings.
Anise‑Flavored Easter Bread
Light, fluffy, and scented with warm anise, this Italian Easter bread is dotted with colorful sprinkles
Its distinct licorice‑like aroma and soft crumb invite nostalgic memories of childhood celebrations.
Serve slices with anise tea or bake into French toast for a festive breakfast twist.
Nana’s Easter Bread
Nana’s Easter Bread is a tender, orange‑ and anise‑flavored braided loaf, finished with icing and pastel sprinkles.
Rich buttery dough and citrusy zest evoke comforting holiday nostalgia.
Slice it thick for brunch or snack straight from the oven—each bite is festive, flavorful, and heartwarming.
Casatiello
Savory and robust, Casatiello from Naples uses cheese, salami, and eggs baked into a sturdy ring of dough.
Its aroma of melted cheese and cured meats is irresistible.
Serve it sliced at room temperature as a hearty picnic bread or as part of an Easter antipasti spread.
Pane di Pasqua
A soft, golden, and braided sweet bread, Pane di Pasqua melds the gentle sweetness of sugar and butter with the bright zing of citrus zest.
Its dough, enriched with eggs and kneaded until silky, releases a comforting aroma of warm vanilla and fresh yeast as it rises.
Topped with dyed eggs and festive sprinkles, this tender loaf is equally delightful at brunch, paired with cream cheese, or simply savored fresh, straight from the oven.
Anise‑Flavored Easter Bread
Light, fluffy, and fragrant with sweet licorice notes, this anise-flavored Easter Bread is studded with tiny seeds that offer delicate bursts of flavor.
Its crumb is soft and springy, and the air fills with warm, subtly spicy aromas as it bakes
Perfect with morning coffee or alongside afternoon tea, this bread shines on its own or with a smear of honey butter.
Nana’s Easter Bread
Rich and buttery, Nana’s Easter Bread combines bright orange zest and fragrant anise oil in a tender, brioche-style dough.
Brushed with sweet glaze and sprinkled with pastel nonpareils, it fills the kitchen with a nostalgic, citrusy-sweet scent.
Warm from the oven or toasted lightly, it’s the perfect companion to soft cheese, fresh fruit, or a late-blooming spring morning.
Frosted Italian Anise Bread
Sweet and pillowy, this Frosted Italian Anise Bread dazzles with a thin, glossy icing and cheerful sprinkles atop its light, subtly spiced crumb.
The scent of anise deepens as it cools, offering a gentle licorice kiss that lingers temptingly.
Enjoy it sliced with breakfast or as a cozy dessert—its elegant simplicity makes it perfect for any occasion.
Braided Pane di Pasqua
This beautifully braided Pane di Pasqua enchants with a citrus-kissed dough and a tender, buttery crumb.
Baking it fills the air with the warm, comforting aroma of fresh-baked bread and bright lemon zest .
Tucked with colorful eggs, it’s a stunning centerpiece and an ideal canvas for soft butter or creamy ricotta.
Savory Casatiello
Hearty and savory, this Neapolitan Casatiello is filled with cheese, salami, and hard-boiled eggs peeking through its rustic dough.
The scent of melting cheese and cured meats mingles with the dough’s warmth as it bakes .
Sliced thick and eaten at room temperature, it makes an indulgent picnic treat or a rich addition to an Easter antipasti spread.
Anise-Flavored Easter Bread
Soft and aromatic, this early-rising Easter loaf is gently scented with sweet anise extract.
Its pillowy crumb carries tiny bursts of licorice-flavored seeds, and it bakes into a warm, buttery loaf that fills your kitchen with cozy fragrance.
Enjoy a slice with morning coffee or paired with light cheeses, or tear it apart as a festive snack during celebrations.
Nana’s Italian Easter Bread
A cherished family recipe, this tender egg-enriched loaf highlights bright orange zest and a hint of anise.
Brushed with a sweet glaze and dusted in pastel sprinkles, it fills the air with nostalgic sweetness and citrus warmth.
Ideal on its own for morning brunch, or served alongside ricotta and fresh berries to elevate holiday gatherings.
Braided Crown Easter Bread
Shaped into braided crowns, this rich loaf is flavored with orange, lemon, and vanilla, creating a beautifully balanced citrus aroma.
Its glossy, egg-washed finish gleams as it cools, revealing a soft, flavorful crumb perfect for slicing.
Serve it with jam for breakfast, or enjoy it beside savory dishes to round out your Easter feast.
Frosted Italian Anise Bread
This show-stopping ring loaf dazzles with a sweet anise-infused glaze and colorful sprinkles atop its tender, subtly spiced crumb.
Each slice offers a light crunch from the icing followed by sweet, licorice-kissed dough that lingers on the palate.
Pair it with tea or coffee, or let it shine solo as a celebratory dessert that captures the essence of spring.
Kitchn Italian Easter Bread
This bright, braided loaf delivers classic Sicilian flavors with orange and anise woven into its tender dough.
Its golden crust yields to a soft, cloud-like interior—fluffy yet rich—and the aroma is simply irresistible .
Perfect with breakfast spreads or served alongside an elegant antipasti board, it brings a touch of tradition to any table.
Anise & Orange Blossom Bread
Radiating floral fragrance, this loaf blends crushed anise seed, orange zest, and a splash of orange blossom water.
Its lightly sweetened dough and aromatic lift provide a delightful sensory experience that complements both sweet and savory dishes.
Serve it lightly toasted with butter or as part of a festive brunch spread—springtime perfection in every bite.
Anise & Orange Blossom Bread
This fragrant loaf marries the sweet, floral notes of orange blossom water with the warm licorice kiss of crushed anise seeds.
As it bakes, your kitchen is enveloped in a heady aroma of citrus and spice, promising something truly special.
Soft, subtly sweet, and lightly chewy, this bread shines at breakfast with butter—or during dessert time alongside fruity preserves.
Versatile and elegant, it brings springtime charm to every bite.
Casatiello
A robust, savory ring packed with cubed salami, cheeses like Pecorino Romano, and speckled with black pepper—this Neapolitan classic is unforgettable.
It bakes into a golden wreath, the scents of melted cheese and cured meats wafting through the air, promising a rich and satisfying experience.
Traditionally served at Easter Monday picnics, it’s perfect sliced at room temperature or warmed alongside antipasti.
Decadent and hearty, Casatiello transforms any gathering into a celebration.
Conclusion
Ready to bring the taste of Italy to your Easter celebration?
These 26+ Italian Easter bread recipes provide a perfect starting point—whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying your hand at a festive loaf for the first time.
Gather your ingredients, invite loved ones to join the fun, and fill your home with the warm, inviting aromas of authentic Italian Easter breads baked fresh from your oven.
Celebrate tradition with every delicious slice!
