Spanish Easter Bread: Mona de Pascua Recipe
Spanish Easter Bread: Mona de Pascua Recipe
Spanish Easter Bread: Mona de Pascua Recipe
Spanish Easter Bread: Mona de Pascua Recipe
21. April 2025
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As someone who lived in Germany for over 30 years, Easter was always the same for me: the fresh scent of spring in the air, colorful eggs in the garden, and of course, a delicious braided bread on the table. But since I moved to Spain two years ago, my Easter celebration has changed – and it’s gotten sweeter! Because here, there’s the Mona de Pascua , the Spanish equivalent of our German Easter bread. And you know what? I’ve totally fallen in love with it.
The Mona de Pascua is more than just baked goods – it’s a true piece of Spanish tradition. It represents family, togetherness, and the joy of celebration. In Spain, it’s not only baked but also given as a gift during Easter – a loving gesture that reflects community spirit and family joy. What I find particularly wonderful is that every year, children receive their Mona from their godparents. This doesn’t exist in Germany, and I think this tradition is absolutely beautiful.
Tradition Meets Modernity: From Hard-Boiled Eggs to Chocolate Eggs
Originally, hard-boiled eggs were placed on the Mona de Pascua – often held securely in a special dough holder, making them look like a small crown atop the bread. These eggs symbolize the end of Lent and the arrival of spring – a true homage to life and abundance during this season.
But as is often the case in cooking, traditions evolve. Nowadays, many Monasfeature not hard-boiled eggs but their sweet counterparts: chocolate eggs or even little surprise eggs! These modern versions are especially popular with kids. And honestly? I love how the Spanish don’t treat traditions as rigid rules but instead adapt them playfully to today’s times. Whether classic with hard-boiled eggs or modern with chocolate – the main thing is that it tastes good and brings joy!
Why the Mona de Pascua is so Special
But what makes the Mona so unique? For me, it’s the wonderfully fluffy yeast dough, lightly sweetened and perfect with coffee or tea. And then there’s the decoration: whether colorful sprinkles, chocolate chips, or eggs – the Mona is an absolute eye-catcher. It’s not just delicious; it’s also a symbol of the cheerful, creative way Spaniards celebrate holidays.
Easter is approaching, and with it comes the search for the perfect traditional pastry that delights not only the palate but also brings the family together. The Mona de Pascua is exactly that: a highlight on the Easter table, sweet, juicy, and full of life. If you want to add a Spanish touch to your Easter celebration and surprise your loved ones with something special, the Mona de Pascua is just the thing for you.
Don’t worry, I’ll guide you step by step on how to easily bake this special bread yourself – from the ingredient list to the best tips, ensuring stress-free baking and impressive results.
Why Choose the Mona de Pascua? – The Advantages of Spanish Easter Bread
The Mona de Pascua isn’t just tasty; it’s also a perfect combination of fluffy yeast dough and sweet flavors. What makes this recipe stand out is the variety it offers: you can enhance it with all kinds of ingredients – be it chocolate, sprinkles, or even hard-boiled eggs. It’s a playful way to celebrate Easter while enjoying the delicious aromas of Spain. Ideal for gathering with family and friends – after all, every bite delivers a bit of Spanish joie de vivre!
The Recipe: How I Bake My Mona de Pascua
Ingredients (for 1 large or 2 small Monas):
| Cook Time: | 30 min |
| Prep Time: | 40 min |
| Total Time: | 70 min |
| Category: | Sweet pastries |
| Cuisine: | Spanish cuisine |
| Yield: | 1-2 |
| Method: | bake |
2. In a small bowl, I mix the yeast with some of the lukewarm milk and a teaspoon of sugar. I then leave the mixture to stand for about 10 minutes until it foams nicely. This is important because it lets me know that the yeast is “working”.
3. Kneading the dough
4. In a large bowl, I mix the flour, the rest of the sugar, vanilla sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Then I add the yeast and milk mixture, the rest of the milk, the softened butter and the first egg. Using my hands or a food processor, I knead everything into a smooth, elastic dough. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour - but not too much, otherwise it will become dry.
5. Let the dough rise
6. Now comes the cozy part: I cover the dough with a damp cloth and leave it to rest in a warm place for about 1-2 hours until it has doubled in size. During this time, I usually go for a walk or read a book - patience is really important here!
7. Shaping and decorating
8. After the dough has risen, I knead it again briefly and shape it into a round or oval form. Sometimes I also make little “mounds” in the middle because it looks particularly pretty. If I feel like it, I put boiled eggs on the dough - it's totally Spanish and looks great. I then decorate with sugar sprinkles, chocolate chips or icing.
9. Baking
10. I bake the Mona in a preheated oven at 180 °C (top/bottom heat) or 160 °C (fan-assisted) for around 25-30 minutes until it is golden brown. A little trick of mine: if I tap the underside and it sounds hollow, it's ready.
11. Leave to cool and enjoy
12. After baking, I leave the Mona to cool on a wire rack. Of course, it's best warm - but it also tastes great the next day. Sometimes I spread them with a little jam or Nutella if I fancy something extravagant.
* 100 g sugar
* 100 g butter (soft)
* 1 sachet of dry yeast (7 g)
* 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional, but recommended!)
* 250 ml lukewarm milk
* 2 eggs (1 for the dough, 1 for coating)
* 1 pinch of salt
* To decorate: Sugar sprinkles, chocolate chips, icing or boiled eggs
Storage and Shelf Life
The Mona de Pascua stays fresh for up to 4–5 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze portions if you want to bake ahead of time – simply wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer bag. When needed, just reheat them in the oven, and you’ll have fresh Easter bread ready to go! Click here for the other recipes
Tips for Perfect Results
◉ Dough resting time: Patience is key – let the dough rise properly to get a fluffy result.
◉ Don’t overheat the yeast dough: The milk should be just lukewarm; if it’s too hot, the yeast won’t work properly.
◉ Personalize it: Try adding different fillings like chocolate chips or dried fruits for a unique twist.
◉ Easter decoration: If you don’t have hard-boiled eggs, use colorful sugar sprinkles or mini chocolate eggs instead.
Conclusion: A Piece of Spain for Your Easter Table
For me, the Mona de Pascua is the perfect blend of tradition and joy – exactly what Easter is all about. It stands for family, togetherness, and the little sweet moments in life. Whether classic with hard-boiled eggs or modern with chocolate – this Spanish delicacy is guaranteed to bring springtime cheer to your home. So, why not add a Spanish twist to your Easter celebration this year? I’m sure you’ll fall in love with this fluffy bread – just like I did back then!
Have fun trying it out and ¡buen provecho!
If you enjoyed the recipe, feel free to leave a ⭐️, chat with me in the comments, and share it with anyone who could use something tasty!
Your Steffi & Marius
Wir sind zwei deutsche Auswanderer und auf emigres-life nehmen wir Dich mit auf unsere Reise in ein neues Leben.
In unserem Projekt schwingt das Pendel meist in Richtung stressig oder chaotisch und weniger in Richtung tiefenentspannt.
Wenn du also wissen willst, in welches Fettnäpfchen wir als nächstes treten oder welche Hürden vor uns liegen und wie wir sie überwinden, dann bleib dran.
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