Italian Anise Bread

This traditional Italian anise bread is a favorite recipe that has been passed down through the generations and is popular during the Easter season.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 448 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 2 cups warm milk
• 5 tablespoons anise seed
• 8 eggs, at room temperature
• 0.5 cup butter, melted
• 0.5 cup warm water
• 12.375 cups all-purpose flour

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Combine flour, sugar, and anise seed together in a very large bowl; create a well in the center.

Step 3

Mix warm water and yeast together in a bowl. Let stand until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 10 minutes.

Step 4

Beat warm milk, eggs, and butter together in a bowl; stir into yeast mixture. Add milk mixture to the well in the flour mixture. Knead flour-milk mixture using your hands until dough and your hands are no longer sticky. Cover dough with a clean cotton cloth and let rise, 8 hours to overnight.

Step 5

Grease and flour 6 loaf pans.

Step 6

Punch dough down and divide into 6 portions. Mold each portion into a round shape and place each in a prepared pan. Cover pans and let rise for 1 hour more.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven until bread is cooked through, 45 to 50 minutes.