Easter has always been my favorite holiday. In Germany, it’s more than just a day—it’s a season. A long weekend, signs of spring everywhere, decorated branches, painted eggs, and a shared sense of celebration.

In New York, the lead-up is there—but only through marketing. Chocolate eggs, pastel packaging, and maybe a few half-hearted decorations. No bank holiday, no collective pause, no traditional fun. Just another weekend, really.

So I leaned into comfort and baked a Hefezopf—the soft, braided yeast bread that tastes like home. It reminded me of those long brunches with friends and family that stretched into the night—full of community, laughter, and that unmistakable feeling of home.