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German Easter Eggs Ostereier Recipe

Discover the magic of traditional German Easter egg dyeing! This simple, old-fashioned method, passed down through generations, creates brilliantly colored and glossy Ostereier. Learn how to achieve vibrant hues using store-bought dyes or natural ingredients like onion skins, tea, beetroot juice, spinach, nettle roots and leaves, alder or oak bark. Add vinegar for extra brilliance and finish with a beautiful sheen using bacon fat or oil. Make this year's Easter celebration extra special with these stunning, homemade eggs!

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Calories 68.2 kcal
Protein 11g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
German Easter Eggs Ostereier 14

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Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for German Easter Eggs Ostereier

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How to Make German Easter Eggs Ostereier

  1. Hard-boil the desired number of eggs. (Note: Exact cooking time depends on egg size and freshness; start with 8-10 minutes for large eggs and adjust as needed.)
  2. Prepare your dye baths. For natural dyes, use approximately 1 cup of water per color, adding your chosen ingredient (e.g., 1/2 cup chopped onion skins for a yellow-brown dye, 1/4 cup chopped beetroot for pink). Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to each dye bath for more vibrant colors.
  3. Simmer the dye baths for about 10-15 minutes to extract the color.
  4. Carefully remove the hard-boiled eggs and gently place them in the dye baths. Ensure they are fully submerged.
  5. Allow the eggs to simmer in the dye bath for at least 5 minutes (longer for deeper color). Check periodically to avoid over-dyeing.
  6. Remove the eggs from the dye bath with a slotted spoon and let them cool completely.
  7. Once cool, gently rub each egg with a small amount of bacon fat or salad oil for a beautiful shine.
  8. Let the eggs dry completely before displaying them.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

2 g

Sugar

1g

Fat

7g

Carbs

0g

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

15 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion 5 Ingredients Or Less Very Low Carbs Breakfast Eggs Dairy German Easy European Finger Food Heirloom Historical Holiday Event Kid Friendly Spring Easter Eggs Dietary Gifts Low Sodium Seasonal Oamc Freezer Make Ahead Low Carb Low In Something Presentation Served Cold 3 Steps Or Less