Braided Breads
Choereg, known as Tsoureki in Greece, is traditionally flavored with ground sour cherry pits, called makhlepi or mahaleb (or mahleb). This ingredient can be found at specialty spice purveyors or Middle Eastern markets.
Other Loaves
Not all of these recipes are sweet: in Italy, Easter breads (pane di Pasqua) can be savory and are made with cheeses, meats, olives, and capers.
Buns & Rolls
Whether you eat them on Good Friday or Easter morning, hot cross buns are a welcome treat.
Filled Breads
For the ambitious baker, yeasted babka dough can be rolled out very thin and filled with a cinnamon-nut mixture or chocolate filling. Roll up into a log, like a cinnamon roll, and coil into a greased loaf pan or springform pan before proofing and baking.
Quick Breads, Muffins, and Sweet Rolls
Many Easter foods are symbolic--eggs are recognized as a symbol of life and rebirth. Poppies symbolize the Passion of the Christ and the peaceful sleep of the dead, while honey represents sweetness and abundance.
