Last-Minute Easter Favorites
A couple of Italian classics for your Easter table—because yes, there's still time.
Hey guys!! If you’re anything like me, you just realized Easter is basically here and you're wondering how it snuck up so fast. (Seriously… wasn't it just February?)
I know the holiday rush can feel like a lot—between the egg hunts, family plans, and trying to remember who said they were bringing dessert—but if you're looking for two tried-and-true dishes that scream Italian Easter, I’ve got you.
We make these every single year in our house: Italian Easter Bread and Easter Pie (aka Pizza Rustica). They’re cozy, nostalgic, and honestly not as hard as they look. Plus, your kitchen will smell amazing and your Nonna would definitely approve.
Whether you're hosting, showing up with something homemade, or just want to keep tradition alive, these are the recipes to bookmark.
Italian Easter Bread
This bread is soft, slightly sweet, and makes five (!!) beautiful loaves. This is a family recipe that we’ve passed down, and I’m sharing it exactly as it was written.
INGREDIENTS
5 pounds of flour
12 oz. can of evaporated milk
Whole milk, fill the empty evaporated milk can up
2 sticks of butter
1 cup of honey
1 tablespoon of vanilla
10 large eggs
5 packets of active yeast
1 1/4 cups of warm water
1 teaspoon of sugar
1 egg for egg wash
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix the yeast with the warm water and sugar; stir and set aside.
In a large pot, add the evaporated milk and whole milk. Heat until small bubbles appear (scald).
Once milk is scalded, remove from heat and add in butter.
Once butter melts, add in honey and vanilla and set aside.
In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, then slowly add them to the milk mixture.
Pour in yeast mixture and set aside.
In a big sauce pot, add flour.
Add in wet mixture slowly and stir.
Knead for about 15 minutes until a large dough ball forms.
Use butter and rub all over the walls of the pot and under the dough ball.
Make a CROSS on the top of the dough, cover with a dish towel and then an Afghan (or another dish towel).
Let rise for one hour (it should double in size).
Next punch it down. Then cover again with the dish towel and Afghan and let rise for another hour.
Take out your cookie sheets, smear butter on them, and make long logs with the dough. Three logs are needed to make a braid.
You should get five loaves of bread out of the 5 pounds of flour.
Once your breads are braided, brush an egg wash on top.
Preheat your oven to 370 degrees and bake for 10–15 minutes.
Switch racks (bread on top rack will go to bottom and vice versa).
Bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
Easter Pie (Pizza Rustica)
Tim’s favorite. Always. I’ve been sharing this one on IG for years because I swear, no Easter is complete without it.
It’s savory, cheesy, loaded with cured meats—and basically a whole meal in one slice. Serve it warm or cold, morning or night. It never lasts long in our house.
INGREDIENTS:
2 prepared pie crusts
6 ounces prosciutto, diced into ¼ inch pieces
4 ounces capicola, diced into ¼ inch pieces
4 ounces soppressata, diced into ¼ inch pieces
4 ounces mozzarella, diced into ¼ inch pieces
4 ounces grated parmesan
1 (15 oz) container Ricotta cheese
5 eggs (one to brush on the crust)
Pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS:
Mix meats, cheeses, 4 eggs and pepper in a large bowl
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Take one piece of pie crust and line the bottom of an oiled large pie dish
Add you filling and gently make it even
Add you second pie crust over the filling and crimp the edges with a fork
Beat your last egg and brush it on the top of your pie
Cut several small slits into top of the pie crust
Sprinkle about 2 TBSP of parmesan on top of the crust
Bake on bottom shelf for about an hour, until golden brown
Let slightly cool and slice to serve !
As an added bonus, I created these tags that you can print at home and attach to your loaves of bread! Download yours for free.
If you're last-minute like me (hi, welcome), these are the recipes that’ll make your Easter table feel complete—without adding stress to your weekend. Print them, save them, make them with your kids. Just don’t forget to tag me if you do!
Wishing you a cozy, delicious Easter filled with family, love, and maybe a quiet moment to eat your slice in peace. 😉
xo,
Gi
