A soft, golden enriched loaf shaped like a bunny — your Easter table centerpiece. The bake your family will ask for every spring.
🥣 Method
1
Activate the Yeast 5 min
Whisk warm milk (110°F / 43°C), warm water, sugar, and instant yeast in a large bowl. Let sit 5 minutes until lightly foamy.
2
Mix the Dough
Add eggs, then bread flour and salt. Mix until shaggy. Knead 7–8 minutes until smooth. Add softened butter one tablespoon at a time, then knead 4–5 more minutes until silky and passing the windowpane test.
3
Bulk Rise 90 min
Shape into a ball, place in an oiled bowl, cover tightly. Rise in a warm spot (75–80°F / 24–27°C) until doubled, about 1.5–2 hours.
4
Shape the Bunny 🐰
Divide: 350g head, 70g × 2 ears, 20g nose. Shape the head into a tight round ball. Roll ears into 4-inch ovals and press firmly against the head. Attach nose to the lower center. Press in chocolate chips or raisins for eyes.
5
Second Rise 50 min
Cover loosely and proof in a warm spot until pillowy, about 45–60 minutes. Use the poke test: press gently — it should spring back slowly and only halfway.
6
Egg Wash & Bake 28 min
Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Whisk 1 egg + 1 tbsp milk. Brush gently over entire surface. Bake 25–30 minutes until deep golden and 190°F (88°C) internal. Tent ears with foil if they brown too fast. Cool 15 minutes before serving.
🔬 Bread Science
Butter coats flour proteins and prevents gluten bonding. Adding it after kneading gives you strong structure AND a tender crumb — that's why fat always goes in last for enriched doughs.
📋 Ingredients
The Dough
| Grams | Volume | Ingredient |
|---|---|---|
| 500g | 4 cups | bread flour |
| 180g | ¾ cup | whole milk, warmed to 110°F (43°C) |
| 110g | ½ cup | water, warm |
| 50g | ¼ cup | granulated sugar |
| 7g | 2¼ tsp | instant yeast |
| 10g | 1¾ tsp | salt |
| 100g | 2 large | large eggs |
| 60g | 4 tbsp | unsalted butter, softened |
Egg Wash
| Grams | Volume | Ingredient |
|---|---|---|
| 50g | 1 large | large egg |
| 15g | 1 tbsp | whole milk |
Decoration
| Grams | Volume | Ingredient |
|---|---|---|
| 4g | 2 pcs | chocolate chips or raisins (eyes) |
| 10g | 1 pc | dough ball or cherry (nose) |
📐 Baker's Math
Bread Flour100%
Milk36%
Water22%
Sugar10%
Eggs20%
Butter12%
Salt2%
Total Hydration58%
🧑🍳 Henry's Tip
No foam after 5–7 minutes? Your milk was too hot or your yeast is old. Start over with fresh yeast — don't waste the rest of your ingredients. Also: chill the dough 15 minutes before shaping if it keeps springing back.
🐰 Individual Bunny Rolls
Divide into 8 portions instead: 45g head, 10g per ear, 5g nose each. Arrange on two baking sheets and bake 18–20 minutes.
