When I was a kid my dad used to buy these at the local Italian bakery. My brothers and I would have them for Easter brunch. He got the recipe while I was in college and we have been baking them ever since. My kids love to help.
| 1/4 | cup | water, luke warm | |
| 1 | pinch | salt | |
| 1/3 | cup | butter | |
| 2 | each | eggs, beaten | |
| 3 1/2 | cups | flour, unsifted | |
| 1 | teaspoon | water | |
| 1 | each | egg, well beaten | |
| 6 | each | eggs, hard boiled or raw, colored or plain | |
| confectioners sprinkles |
Combine water, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl, let stand 5 minutes. In a large bowl combine milk, salt, butter, beaten eggs, and remaining 1/2 cp of sugar. Add 1/2 of flour, beat until smooth. Stir in yeast slowly. Add the rest of the flour. Mix until stiff dough forms (add more flour if needed). Turn out on to floured board. Knead until smooth. Place in bowl lightly greased with oil. Cover and let rise until doubled. Punch down dough. Place dough onto floured board. Divide into 6 pieces. Roll each piece into a 1 inch thick rope. Make a U shape out of rope. Place one whole egg on inside of U. Twist legs of U to make a fish tail. (You can use a little dough to make an X over the egg.) place on greased baking sheet. Beat remaining egg with the tsp of water. Brush with egg and water mixture (egg wash) Sprinkle sprinkles onto bun. Let rise until doubled in size. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Cool on rack for 10 minutes.