Easter Nests

One of my favorite Easter traditions... super yummy, yeast-dough Easter nests. So easy and fun!

Ingredients:

• 2 packages of active dry yeast

• Vanilla from one vanilla bean

• 1 and 1/2 cups warm milk (about 100 degrees Fahrenheit)

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 6 cups flour

• 1 pinch salt

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 stick unsalted, softened butter

• 1 egg for brushing.

1. Add yeast, 4 tablespoons of the warm milk and one teaspoon of sugar to a small bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy.

2. Add 6 cups of white flour into a stand mixer. Add a pinch of salt, frothy yeast, the remaining sugar, the rest of the milk, and softened butter into the bowl. Mix for 5 minutes on high.

3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Cover your dough with a kitchen towel and let the dough rise for at least one hour (until the dough has doubled in size).

5. Divide the dough by four. Take one of the fourths and divide it into two equal parts.

6. Roll the parts into long strands, pinch ends together and start rolling them to form a braid. Pinch the ends together to form a "basket".

7. Repeat with the remaining three pieces of dough.

8. Place on a baking sheet and brush each "basket" with egg yolk.

9. Place in the oven for 20 minutes and until golden.

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