Italian Easter Bread With Dyed Eggs

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 package dry yeast
• 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 cups unbleached flour
• 2/3 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup chopped mixed candied fruit
• 1/3 cup chopped blanched almonds
• 1/2 teaspoon aniseed
• 2 tablespoons melted shortening
• 5 uncooked eggs colored with Easter-egg dye
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
• colored sprinkles, for decoration