A recent trip to Target made me rethink bringing my 2-year-old son anywhere just before lunchtime. I was in the Easter section of the store looking for cupcake liners when I heard him yell, “candeeeeee!” There it stood. A near life-sized cardboard cutout of the Easter Bunny perched beside a monolith of stacked candy. Knowing his screams would only escalate, I picked up the pace and headed for the next aisle. Bad idea. It was still everywhere in plain sight – candy, chocolate and other sugary paraphernalia. Just as I feared, my son turned into a monster – bellowing a roar of greed, impatience and appetite. How very Easter-like. I hurriedly rolled not one or two, but five aisles away until we were out of the danger zone.

With all of the marketing and commercialized clutter that herald Easter these days, the Easter Bunny rules supreme. Kids know it well. To them, it’s all about the candy embedded in the fake grass (that annoyingly sticks to the upholstery).

For many, with the exception of a Lenten resolution and going to Easter Mass, there isn’t much out there to remind them of the true meaning of Easter. That job rests almost entirely on good old Mom and Dad.

When my husband was growing up, there was one tangible item on the dinner table every Easter that was symbolic of our Savior, though. It might not be as sugary as a Cadbury Egg or jellybeans, but kids love it because it is creative and recognizable. The “Lamb Bread,” as it is simply named, takes the shape of an actual lamb. If we, parents (or grandparents, aunts and uncles), take the time to explain its symbolism, it puts a few more points on the home-team score board during the annual Jesus-vs.-Easter Bunny rivalry.

Bread is, of course, representative of the body of Christ. The shape of the lamb characterizes the sacrifice of Jesus. To the kids, the whole thing is “neat,” “cute,” or “cool” – and the boys usually vie for who gets to eat the head. But if a little explanation can be given before the bread is broken, kids can be given a little seed of understanding into the miracle of Christ – a seed that will hopefully one day bloom into an adult Catholic faith.

Lamb Bread

1 1/2 packages active dry yeast

1/2 cup warm water (not hot)

1/2 teaspoon sugar

3/4 cup warm milk

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter (softened)

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

3 to 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

1 raisin

Egg Wash

1 egg white

1 tablespoon water

Dissolve yeast, then sugar in warm water. Let stand for 10 minutes until frothy.

In a large bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, butter and salt. Stir in yeast mixture. With a mixer or by hand, slowly mix in half of the flour until well blended. Continue to mix in more flour until a stiff dough is formed. Knead until dough is smooth and elastic.

Place in a bowl lightly greased with cooking oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and a towel and store in a warm place until dough doubles in size (about an hour).

Punch down the dough and separate into four even portions.

Roll first portion into a 9” x 6” oval (body) ¼” thick. Trim an inch off across the top and place onto a greased cookie sheet.

Roll another portion into a 9” rope. Divide as follows: one 4” section (head), two 1” sections (tail and ear), and two 1½ ” sections (legs). Shape head into an oval and attach to body. Pinch to seal. Shape nose and flatten head slightly. Roll each leg to 2” long ovals and attach to bottom of body. Pinch to seal. Shape tail and ear and attach. Pinch to seal.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk egg white and water in a small bowl. Set aside.

Using the remaining dough, make 24-26 1” balls and then several ½” or smaller sized balls. Arrange the 1” balls over the main body leaving ¼” of border exposed. Arrange smaller balls between the larger balls and on top of the head. Insert a raisin for the eye and cut a vertical slit into each leg.

Brush with the egg wash and bake for 10 minutes. Quickly brush on more egg wash and sprinkle sesame seeds over the head and body. Bake 15-20 minutes longer or until lightly brown on top. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool slightly. Enjoy!