Easter bread

Easter Bread

Colomba di Pasqua, a traditional Italian Easter bread

Easter bread refers to a variety of sweet breads traditionally prepared and consumed during the Easter season in many cultures around the world. These breads often have symbolic meanings and are associated with various customs and traditions.

Varieties of Easter Bread

Italian Easter Breads

Casatiello, a savory Neapolitan Easter bread

In Italy, Easter breads are diverse and vary by region. One of the most famous is the Colomba di Pasqua, a dove-shaped bread that is similar to panettone but is traditionally made for Easter. It is often topped with pearl sugar and almonds.

Another popular Italian Easter bread is Casatiello, a savory bread from Naples that is filled with cheese, cured meats, and sometimes eggs. It is a rich and hearty bread that reflects the celebratory nature of the holiday.

Pastiera Napoletana, a traditional Italian Easter cake

The Pastiera Napoletana is a type of cake made with ricotta cheese, cooked wheat, and flavored with orange flower water. Although not a bread, it is an essential part of the Easter celebration in Naples.

Eastern European Easter Breads

Paska, a traditional Ukrainian Easter bread

In Eastern Europe, Paska is a traditional Easter bread that is particularly popular in Ukraine and Russia. It is a sweet, yeast-leavened bread that is often decorated with religious symbols made from dough.

Kulich, a Russian Easter bread

Kulich is another Eastern European Easter bread, similar to Paska, but typically taller and cylindrical in shape. It is often glazed with icing and decorated with colorful sprinkles.

Greek Easter Breads

In Greece, Tsoureki is a sweet, braided bread flavored with mahlab and mastic. It is often decorated with red-dyed eggs, which symbolize the blood of Christ.

Romanian Easter Breads

Cozonac, a Romanian Easter bread

In Romania, Cozonac is a traditional sweet bread made with a rich dough that is often filled with nuts, cocoa, or Turkish delight. It is a staple during Easter celebrations.

Pasca, a Romanian Easter bread with cheese filling

Pasca is another Romanian Easter bread, typically made with a sweet cheese filling and sometimes raisins. It is often baked in a round shape and decorated with a cross on top.

Symbolism and Traditions

Easter breads often carry deep symbolic meanings. The use of eggs in many recipes symbolizes rebirth and renewal, reflecting the themes of Easter. The round shapes of some breads represent the cycle of life and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In many cultures, the preparation and sharing of Easter bread is a communal activity, bringing families and communities together. The breads are often blessed in church services and shared with family and friends as a symbol of goodwill and celebration.

Related Pages

• Easter
• Panettone
• Tsoureki
• Paska