🧺A Basket of Easter Bakes

Four favorite Easter breads to fill your table with joy. 🌷

Cathy Warner
April 13, 2025

As Easter approaches, I’ve been thinking about the quiet joy of baking — how the simple act of folding dough or sprinkling sugar on top of a warm loaf can feel like such a small, beautiful celebration.

For this issue, instead of featuring a new recipe, I wanted to share some old favorites from the blog. Think of it like opening a box of treasured recipe cards, each with its own little story and a sprinkle of Easter charm.

There’s the golden Sourdough Romanian Braid, the sweet and spiced Hot Cross Buns, the flaky delight of Nazook, and the stunning Ciambella Mandorlata, crowned with almonds and sugar.

Maybe you’ve baked some of these before, or maybe they’ll be new companions on your Easter table. Either way, I hope they bring a sense of comfort and quiet joy to your kitchen this season.

🌟Highlights:

Easter Table Traditions
Featured Easter Breads from the Archive
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
Share Your Easter Bakes with Us!
Toast to the Season!

🕊️ Easter Table Traditions

One of the things I love most about Easter baking is how every bread feels like it carries a little story to the table. These traditions remind me that baking is more than following a recipe — it’s about connection, and maybe even a quiet sense of belonging.

In Italy, Ciambella Mandorlata is shaped into a ring to symbolize unity and the renewal of spring. The sweet almonds and sugar scattered on top feel like a small celebration all on their own.

In Eastern Europe, sweet braided breads like the Romanian Easter Braid are baked to mark the season of new beginnings. They’re often placed alongside simple, symbolic foods — eggs for life, honey for sweetness, and butter for abundance.

And of course, Hot Cross Buns are one of the most familiar Easter traditions, with the cross marking the season's meaning. Whether enjoyed on Good Friday or Easter morning, they always feel like a comforting, familiar presence.

Wherever your Easter table is this year, I hope it’s filled with warmth and the quiet joy that comes from sharing something you’ve made with care.

🧺 Featured Easter Breads from the Archive

Here’s a basketful of beloved breads, just waiting to be baked and shared.

Sourdough Romanian Easter Braid
See Recipe »

Inspired by traditional Romanian Easter bread, this sourdough braid weaves together sweet, spiced layers and a soft, airy crumb. The rich, golden crust and intricate shape make it a festive centerpiece, echoing the customs of Easter celebrations where bread symbolizes renewal and togetherness.

Sourdough Hot Cross Buns
See Recipe »

These sourdough hot cross buns are golden brown with a soft, tender crumb. Topped with the classic white cross, they’re a simple, satisfying Easter treat. Perfect, served warm with a bit of butter or jam, they bring a familiar and comforting touch to any springtime table.

Nazook (Flaky Walnut Pastry Rolls)
See Recipe »

Nazook, also known as Nazukeh, and Gata, is a flaky and slightly sweet walnut pastry rolled around a streusel-like mixture of crushed walnuts, melted butter, and flour. It is flavored with spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and vanilla. Some versions also include grated nutmeg.

Ciambella Mandorlata (Italian Almond Easter Bread)
See Recipe »

Ciambella Mandorlata is a rustic, ring-shaped Italian Easter bread crowned with a generous topping of almonds, and sugar, and baked to a golden brown for a crisp, sweet crust. Its soft, enriched crumb and festive shape make it a beautiful centerpiece for spring celebrations, perfect for slicing and sharing with family and friends.

🍯 Serving Suggestions & Pairings

Pair your Easter bakes with simple, seasonal companions:

Nazook - enjoy with a drizzle of honey and a warm cup of herbal tea.
Hot Cross Buns - perfect with a swipe of butter or a dollop of orange marmalade.
Ciambella Mandorlata - spread with a bit of honey butter for a simple, satisfying touch of sweetness.
Romanian Easter Braid - serve with sweetened whipped cream or berry preserves.

📸 Share Your Easter Bakes with Us!

I’d love to see your Easter table!

Share your creations on Instagram using #ArtisanEasterBakes for a chance to be featured in our newsletter. Whether it’s a rustic braid or a flaky pastry, your bake can inspire so many others in our community.

📸 Snap a photo of your finished bread
📲 Tag @bread_experience on Instagram using #ArtisanEasterBakes

I can’t wait to see what you create! 😊✨

🥂 Toast to the Season

Let’s raise a toast — not just to the breads we bake, but to the hands that knead them, the tables that hold them, and the hearts that share them.

Here’s to early spring mornings filled with warmth, to dough that rises beautifully, and to the quiet moments of contentment as we break bread with those we love.

May your Easter be filled with joy, simplicity, and the sweet reward of your creations.

Until next time – happy baking! 🧺
- Cathy, Bread Experience