Casatiello Napoletano (Easter Bread from Naples)

Casatiello is the most famous Easter bread in Italy. Typical of Naples, it is served on Easter morning with cheese and cured meat. It's a rich bread made with rustic ingredients as the tradition calls for, and is decorated with the classic trapped eggs.

• Preparation Time: 40 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins
• Calories: 661 Calories

Ingredients

• 6 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• 1 ½ cups warm water, divided
• 1 ½ ounces fresh yeast
• 5 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup lard, at room temperature, divided
• 1 (4 ounce) package salami chunks

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Step 2

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water.

Step 3

Sift flour and salt onto a clean work surface; make a well in the center. Add yeast mixture and 1/4 cup lard to the well. Mix, adding remaining 1 cup water gradually, until dough comes together. Knead until dough is soft and smooth, about 10 minutes.

Step 4

Transfer dough to an oiled bowl. Cover with a clean, damp cloth. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 90 minutes.

Step 5

Place dough back on the work surface. Punch gently to deflate; roll into a big rectangle. Brush 1/4 cup lard on top; cover with Parmesan cheese and pepper. Fold dough in half to make a smaller rectangle. Brush 1/4 cup lard on top; cover with pecorino Romano cheese and pepper.

Step 6

Fold dough again into a smaller rectangle. Brush remaining 1/4 cup lard on top; cover with salami chunks. Cut off a small portion of the dough; reserve.

Step 7

Roll dough into a long cylinder. Place cylinder a grease ring cake mold. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm place until more than doubled in volume, about 3 hours.

Step 8

Tuck whole eggs into the ring of dough at even intervals. Divide reserved dough into 12 pieces; roll into small ropes. Lay 2 ropes in a cross shape over each egg to hold them in place.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 1 hour. Let cool before slicing.