How to Hard-Boil Eggs for Easter

Hard-boiling eggs for dyeing couldn't be easier. In fact, once you learn how to hard-boil eggs for Easter, you'll shirk at the thought of the alternative. Sure, you could poke tiny holes in the top and bottom of a raw egg with a pin, stand over the sink, and blow the innards from one end of the egg out the other, if you like to do that kind of thing.

As it turns out, by hard-boiling eggs, you're well down the road toward a less-troublesome Easter celebration. Follow our easy steps as a starting point for your Easter egg-dying ritual or throughout the rest of the year for plain hard-boiled eggs that are simply delicious.

Why Hard-Boiled is Better

Hard-boiled Easter eggs are easier to work with than delicate blown eggs, easier to hide (say, in a cookie jar or Easter basket), and less delicate for tiny hands to handle. Make this classic hard-boiled egg preparation part of your Easter tradition for a sturdy egg perfect for dying.

Considerations Before You Get Started

What Color Eggs to Start With

White and brown eggs are equally appropriate for dyeing. The right choice for you just depends on your taste and your Easter décor.

The most common choice for Easter is white eggs, which provide a blank canvas that results in bright, vibrant colors when dyed. For richer, deeper colors, try boiling brown eggs, which turn out more saturated jewel tones like sage, berry, rust, teal, and ruby.

Are Easter Eggs Edible?

The definitive answer is: That depends. Dyed Easter eggs are only safe to eat under the following conditions:

• Eggs are dyed using traditional food-safe dye or natural dye.
• Eggs haven't been left out of the fridge for more than 2 hours (or for longer than 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F).

When stored in the fridge, hard-boiled eggs (Easter and otherwise) last for up to one week.

What You'll Need:

• Big pot for boiling
• Water
• Strainer or spider
• Eggs
• Timer
• Large bowl
• Ice water

How to Hard-Boil Eggs for Easter

Step 1: Boil Water

Fill a big pot about ⅔ full of water. Cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat.

Step 2: Place Eggs in Water

With water boiling, gently lower your eggs into the pot, a few at a time. (A small strainer or spider is ideal for the job.) Lower eggs to the bottom of the pot and roll them gently off the strainer, so they don't crack when they hit the pot floor.

Step 3: Lower to a Simmer

Immediately set a timer for 10 minutes. Turn down the heat so the water is simmering vigorously but not boiling, which can cause the eggs to bump into one another and crack.

Step 4: Transfer to an Ice Bath

While eggs are boiling, fill a large bowl with ice and water. When the timer goes off, turn off the heat. Use your spider or strainer to lift eggs out of the water and immediately transfer them to the ice bath. Let cool until easy to handle, and then dye or decorate as you like.