Gather the Ingredients
To make Crescia di Pasqua, you will need the following ingredients:
- 500 grams of all-purpose flour
- 150 grams of grated Parmesan cheese
- 150 grams of diced cured meat (such as salami or ham)
- 4 eggs
- 200 milliliters of milk
- 50 grams of butter, melted
- 1 packet of active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon of salt
Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, grated Parmesan cheese, diced cured meat, and salt. Mix well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter, and yeast. Make sure the yeast is fully dissolved.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
Knead and Rise the Dough
Dust a clean surface with flour and transfer the dough onto it. Begin kneading the dough for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Shape and Bake the Bread
Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release any air bubbles. Divide the dough into two equal portions.
Shape each portion of dough into a round loaf and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the loaves with the kitchen towel and let them rise for an additional 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).
Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Enjoy your Homemade Crescia di Pasqua!
Remove the Crescia di Pasqua from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Once completely cool, you can slice it and enjoy it as is, or toast it with butter for an extra indulgence. This savory bread is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as an accompaniment to your Easter feast.
Now that you know how to make Crescia di Pasqua, go ahead and impress your family and friends this Easter with this traditional Italian delicacy. Buon appetito!