Italian Anise Bread
My family has been making this Easter bread for generations. It’s origins are in a family bakery owned by my great-great aunts off the boat from Italy. My mom and I are the only remaining individuals who know how to make this, so I’m posting it hoping to share it with others. It is made the old world way, so it is not quick, but it is delicious and well worth the work and wait.
INGRIDIENT
DIRECTION
Step: 1
Combine flour, sugar, and anise seed together in a very large bowl; create a well in the center.
Step: 2
Mix warm water and yeast together in a bowl. Let stand until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 10 minutes.
Step: 3
Beat warm milk, eggs, and butter together in a bowl; stir into yeast mixture. Add milk mixture to the well in the flour mixture. Knead flour-milk mixture using your hands until dough and your hands are no longer sticky. Cover dough with a clean cotton cloth and let rise, 8 hours to overnight.
Step: 4
Grease and flour 6 loaf pans.
Step: 5
Punch dough down and divide into 6 portions. Mold each portion into a round shape and place each in a prepared pan. Cover pans and let rise for 1 hour more.
Step: 6
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Step: 7
Bake in the preheated oven until bread is cooked through, 45 to 50 minutes.
NUTRITION FACT
Per Serving: 448 calories; protein 11.9g; carbohydrates 81.4g; fat 8.1g; cholesterol 88.6mg; sodium 73mg.
The quality of the flour can make a real difference to your bread. Different makers do vary. Great taste or Canadian flours, which are naturally higher in gluten, may give you a best rise than standard dough flours – especially if you’re make wholemeal dough , which not always rise as well as clear bread.
To make this in a dough , add all the menus to your breadmaker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
A bread first rising can be done in the fridge overnight . This slows down the time it takes to rise to double its size, giving it a deeper flavour. It’s also a great timesaver , as you can work it yesterday , then clear it off the next day.
