When I take a look out of the window on Good Friday, I had to blink and take a second look. Yes, during the last night our street was dusted with snow. During Christmas I would be happy with snow, but at the end of march I don’t need it anymore. I shortly considered to go back to bed and to stay there until it is finally spring. But complaining about the weather will not change it and so I started some dough to bake a nut-filled braid, some “Poschweck” and this sweet Easter bunnies.

I bake Easter bunnies every day. We eat some for Breakfast and the rest I give away. So we gave one of the bunnies as Easter present to my little niece. This year I made the dough with a pâte fermentée and seasoned it with some grated orange peel.

They taste good – my niece eat immediately a big part of her “Hasi” – is there a bigger compliment?

Easter bunnies

Pâte fermenteé

• 210 g flour Type 550
• 145 g Water
• 1g fresh yeast
• 4g Salt

Dough

• Pâte fermenteé
• 500 g flour Type 550
• 200 g Milk
• 10 g fresh yeast
• 5 g Salt
• 100 g Egg (2 Eggs)
• grated peel of 1/2 Orange
• 85 g sugar
• 125 g Butter

Glazing

• 1 egg, beaten

Mix all ingredients for the Pâte fermente and proof it for 1 hour at room temperature. Then put the dough into the fridge for 12 hours.

Dissolve the yeast in milk, then knead in the kitchen machine with eggs, salt, flour and Pâte fermente for 5 min at slow speed.

The knead 7 min at middle speed. Because the sugar inhibits the gluten development, the sugar is added just now. Add always a tablespoon at once and knead in between always for 1 min. At last add the butter all at onc and knead untill the butter is completly incooperated.

Proof for one hour.

Divide the dough into 5 pieces of about 270g each.

Roll a strand with a thick middle part and thinner tips. Form two puffs at one of the ends by pressing the edge of your hand into the dough, one with 6cm length Ears) and one with 8 cm lengths (Head). Lay the strand on a paper lined baking tray and twist the strand at the thin parts between the puffs. Now cut the 6 cm long puff lengthwise to form the ears. Now cut the arms on both sides of the loaf (length 9 cm) and form the legs with a 9 cm cut (see picture). Fold the tip of the leg in a 90°C angle to form the feet. Now contour the feet and the ears. Lay a Easter egg on the belly of the bunny and fold the arms around them or, for the easter egg less variation, just fold the arms over the belly. Press three raisins in the head to form eyes and nose.

Proof for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 200°C.

Glaze with egg and bake at 200°C (or 175°C convection mode) for 25 min.

I sent this entry to Yeastspotting, Susans weekly showcase of yeast baked good.