Italian Sweet Bread

Name: Italian Sweet Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 loaves (16 slices each).
Ingredients: 1 cup warm 2% milk (70° to 80°); 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 2 tablespoons butter, softened; 1/4 cup sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons active dry yeast; EGG WASH:; 1 large egg; 1 tablespoon water; Italian seasoning, optional

This golden brown bread offers satisfying sweetness in every slice. The hearty round loaves rise well and cut beautifully. With an egg wash and a sprinkling of Italian seasoning, the bread looks pretty, too. —Kim Ooms, Cottage Grove, Minnesota

Ingredients

1 cup warm 2% milk (70° to 80°)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
EGG WASH:
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
Italian seasoning, optional

Directions

In bread machine pan, place the first seven ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed).
When the cycle is completed, turn dough onto a floured surface. Divide in half. Shape each portion into a ball; flatten slightly. Place in two greased 9-in. round baking pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Beat egg and water; brush over the dough. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning if desired.Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Editor's Note

We recommend you do not use a bread machine's time-delay feature for this recipe.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 87 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 119mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.

Originally published as Italian Sweet Bread in Taste of Home April/May 2004

Reviews

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Average Rating:

mstfd

Jul 3, 2018

Very easy, smells and tastes wonderful! I adapted it for use without a bread machine, since I don't have one. Beautiful, dense and the family loved it. I topped it with Kosher salt instead of Italian seasonings-but I'm sure its great with those too!
germanycook

Feb 3, 2016

OOOOH yummy scrummy and delicious! This was easy and tastes just perfect, a bit sweet and a bit salty, I topped it with crushed kosher salt before baking. Can't wait to eat another slice :)
windella7799

Jan 3, 2015

Can this bread be made by hand? I don't use a bread maker.
joniotto

Apr 29, 2014

This is one of my family's favorite bread machine recipes. I follow the recipe as written, but always add a bit of kosher salt to the Italian seasoning that I sprinkle on top before baking. This gives it a salty-sweet taste that we really enjoy. For those having issues with the recipe, it may help to use whole milk or a mix of half-and-half and milk. I've done this and noticed that the bread is a bit more dense. Thanks for a great recipe!
Asthmatic911

Feb 2, 2014

My whole family loves this recipe, I make it both as oven baked long loaves as well as using my bread machine to cook it. I use it for sandwiches, garlic toast, French toast, as well as for dips & soup as well-it's delicious in every way!!
Valerieoh

Nov 20, 2013

Love this! I noticed some people have had problems with this recipe. I can tell you mine comes out perfectly every time, but I don't use a bread machine so maybe that's the difference. This bread freezes very well, too.
Ricetti02

Nov 4, 2013

I have been making this bread for a few years now and we love it! I use regular bread loaf pans instead of the round pans and it turns out perfect every time!
poopiehead71

May 14, 2013

it was good, but not spectacular. Id make it again because its a pretty basic bread that you can eat with just about anything. Mine wasnt as dense looking as the picture, and I would have liked for mine to look more like the pic. I followed the recipe exactly as posted, so wondering if it was a fluke or if I did something wrong. All in all it was pretty good flavor ;)
Leahjanie

May 9, 2013

I have just came across this recipe a couple days ago and it has become a big hit in this house as the whole house here (6) of us love it very much and the boys keep asking for more so I have already made it 2 times and will continue to make it . I have also shared with others as it is too good to keep to ourselves lol. YUM!
MarissaRN

Apr 23, 2013

Delicious bread! Easy to make, too! I followed the directions exactly and it turned out perfectly!