Colomba Pasquale (Easter Bread)

Colomba pasquale

Colomba pasquale (meaning "Easter dove”) is Italy’s official Easter bread. Similar to panettone (Italian Christmas bread), colomba pasquale has a delicate sweet flavor and light texture; it differs in the addition of orange peel and a decoration of white frosting and almonds. While traditionally yeasted, this recipe uses baking powder for a faster preparation that’s just as delicious. Buona Pasqua! Recipe Servings: Serves 4

Prep Time

25 minutes

Cook Time

45 minutes

Total Time

1 hour 10 minutes

Vegetarian

Vegan

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Kosher

Halal

Ingredients

3 cups (360 g) flour
6 Tbsp (75 g) sugar
2 tsp (10 ml) baking powder
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) salt
2 eggs
2 Tbsp (30 g) butter, melted
6 Tbsp (90 ml) milk
2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract
2 tsp (10 ml) grated lemon peel
1 egg, beaten
1 hard-boiled egg, shelled
1 tsp (5 ml) colored sprinkles

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Cut out a stylized dove shape, 12 inches (30 cm) beak to toe and 6 inches (15 cm) wing to wing, from parchment paper.
Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Whisk together eggs, melted butter, milk, and vanilla in a separate bowl. Add to flour and fold in lemon peel. Knead for 2 minutes.
Roll out on a floured surface for dough to fit parchment dove. Cut around it. Place dove on greased tray. Make incisions for tail feathers and a beak. Push in a large raisin for the eye.
Brush with beaten egg. Push hard-boiled egg into the middle. Dot with colored sprinkles.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, until light gold.