Italian Ricotta Easter Bread Food

ITALIAN RICOTTA EASTER BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and egg yolks,1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in ricotta and extract. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition, stirring in final 1 cup flour by hand., Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into thirds. Roll each into an 18-in. rope. Place ropes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and braid. Pinch ends to seal; tuck under braid. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 45-55 minutes (do not overbake). Remove to wire racks to cool., Meanwhile, beat confectioners' sugar, milk and extract until smooth. Brush on bread while still warm; top with sliced almonds or sprinkles.

EASY ITALIAN EASTER BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a large saucepan, heat milk and 2 tablespoons butter to 120°-130°. Add dry ingredients; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs; mix well. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down; turn onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in fruit, almonds and aniseed until blended. Let rest for 10 minutes. Divide dough in half. Shape each portion into a 24-in. rope. Loosely twist ropes together; place on a greased baking sheet and form into a ring. Pinch ends together. Melt remaining butter; brush over dough. Gently separate ropes and tuck dyed eggs into openings. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 40 minutes., Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. For glaze, in a bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over bread. Sprinkle with candies if desired.

RICOTTA EASTER CAKE

Steps:

• Place wheat berries into a bowl, cover with water, and soak for 3 days, changing water 2 or 3 times per day. Drain and place wheat berries into a saucepan; pour in milk to cover. Stir 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, orange zest, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into wheat and milk. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer until wheat berries are tender, about 1 hour. Refrigerate.
• Sift flour, 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, baking powder, and 1 pinch of salt together in a bowl; cut butter into flour mixture, using a pastry cutter, until butter forms small lumps. Make a well in flour mixture and pour 3 beaten eggs into the well; add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon anisette liqueur to eggs. Stir together to make a smooth dough. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Move a rack into low position in oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease and flour the 8x8-inch cake pans.
• Divide dough into fourths; roll each piece out onto a floured work surface to make a thin 12x12-inch dough square. Fit dough into a prepared cake pan. Repeat with remaining dough to make 4 crusts.
• Beat ricotta cheese with 12 eggs in a large bowl until mixture is smooth and creamy. Add 1 cup of soaked wheat berries, pineapple preserves, 1 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, heavy cream, dried mixed fruit, white sugar, 1/4 cup anisette liqueur, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 1 pinch of salt. Stir to combine thoroughly and divide ricotta filling into each crust.
• Bake cakes on the bottom rack of the preheated oven for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 225 degrees F (105 degrees C) and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let cakes cool in the oven with the door open, about 30 minutes. Let cakes cool to room temperature, then chill at least 2 hours (up to overnight). Sprinkle each cake with about 1 1/2 teaspoon confectioners' sugar, or to taste, before slicing.