Colomba di Pasqua, also known as Easter Dove, is a traditional Italian cake popular during the Easter season. Originating in the northern city of Milan, this sweet bread is characterized by its dove-shaped appearance, symbolizing peace and the renewal of life. The cake is typically enriched with candied orange and lemon peels, almonds, and hazelnuts, giving it a delightful citrusy and nutty flavor. Colomba di Pasqua is often served with a dusting of powdered sugar or a glaze, adding an extra touch of sweetness and elegance. This article presents two recipes for Colomba di Pasqua: a classic version and a gluten-free alternative. Both recipes provide detailed instructions and helpful tips to ensure a successful baking experience. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes will guide you in creating a delicious and festive Easter treat that will impress your family and friends.
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COLOMBA PASQUALE RECIPE
The Italian dessert symbol of Easter and of peace. The ancient tradition dated back to the Middle Age making of Colomba a loved dessert both for young and old, even out of Italy.
Provided by Edoardo Pucciarelli
Categories Desserts Easter Recipes Seasonal Recipes Spring Recipes
Time 2h50m
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Dilute the brewer's yeast in 2 oz of warm milk. Add 2 oz of Manitoba flour and mix together. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for at least 1 hour until the dough has doubled its volume.
- Let deflate the first leavened dough by mixing it with a spatula. Add 1/2 cup of warm water and 4 oz of Manitoba flour. Mix well, cover and let rise for another hour in a warm space until the dough has doubled its volume.
- Put the leavened dough in a kneading bowl. Add 2 oz of sugar and 5 oz of flour. Turn on the kneader and then stringing the dough with the appropriate hook. Knead for 3 minutes. Then add gradually 2 oz of soft butter into cubes. Let stringing the dough to the hook and knead until you obtain an elastic dough. Put into a bowl, cover with a towel and let rise until doubled its volume for at least 1 hour / 1 hour and a half.
- Once risen, put the mixture in the bowl of the mixer along with 9 oz of Manitoba flour and the remaining sugar ( 4 oz). Turn on the kneader and let absorb to the dough the mixture powders. Then add, one at a time, shelled whole eggs. Waiting for the first is absorbed by the dough before adding the second. Meanwhile, in a bowl prepare the aroma mixing the sweet wine, the lemon and orange zest, together with the seeds of a vanilla bean.
- Now add the remaining butter (4 oz at room temperature) cut into small pieces little by little. Ultimate adding the salt and spices. Knead for 10 minutes until the mixture does not string the hook and appear soft and elastic. Then put into a bowl, cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
- Overthrow the risen dough on a work surface and spread it with your hands. Spread the candied upon the dough and begin to work vigorously to distribute the candies throughout the dough. Make a ball, put it in a bowl and let it rise covered for at least 1 hour until doubled.
- Place the leavened dough on a work surface and cut in half. Cut one of the two parts in half again and create 3 sausages: a larger one (the body of the Colomba Pasquale) and 2 smaller (the wings).
- Put the 3 parts in a mold for Colomba for 2,2 lbs. Cover and let rise the Dove until there will be 0 25⁄32 in to the mixture to reach the edge of the mold.
- In a mixer, blend the sugar with almonds until you obtain a fine powder. Whip the egg whites, and slowly add the powder obtained. Assemble everything with the whisk for 5 minutes. At the end, add Amaretto liqueur and stir.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C / 82°F in a static mode. Once the dough is leavened, spread the surface of the Colomba with the base of albumen icing. Decorate it with almonds and granulated sugar.
- Bake in a hot oven and, in the first 20 minutes of cooking, every 5 minutes, open the oven door for a few seconds to let steam out. Then, continue cooking for another 20 minutes by lowering the temperature to 160°C / 71°F.
- Once cooked let the Colomba cool on a wire rack, or you can let it cool upside down, in the raised position by serving the proper irons, such as those used for the cake.
- Colomba retains its softness for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight plastic bag.
EASTER COLOMBA DOVE PEACE-ITALY
Categories Nut
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- Let's start. Whisk the yeast into the warm milk, then sift in the flour and combine it slowly with a spatula. At last, cover all with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm corner for about 30 minutes, that encourage the growth of yeast. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk together the eggs, the yolks, and the sugar. Whisk in the butter, salt, vanilla, orange rind, lemon rind, orange extract, and add the flour at last. Turn on the electric mixer on low speed to combine all with a paddle. Bring back the sponge and spour off into the bowl. Run the paddle on low speed until for two or tree minutes until the dough is smooth. Add the raisin and candied fruit (if you like it, of course...). Run again briefly. Now, we have to take a buttered bowl where to transfer the dough, covering with plastic wrap. Set aside to rise for at least 1 hour or until double in volume. When the dough is ready, remove from the bowl and transfer to a lightly floured work surface. Push and work lightly the dough to deflate, adding the minimum flour necessary, and keep the dough sticky. With a buttered dove-shaped pan. Add a strip of parchment paper across to facilitate removal of cake. Transfer the dough to the pan and spread uniformly. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside to rise again, for about 1 hour or until double. Preheat oven 375 F (190C). Place the almonds and sugar in a food processor fitted with metal blade. Run the blade until finely ground. Place in a bowl and combine the cornstarch and egg whites. When the colomba is ready, drow up the glaze on top carefully with a spatula, cover on top with sliced almond and the powdered sugar. Bake to 375 F (190C) for about 20 minutes or until golden. Taste for readiness inserting a toothpick. The cake is ready when the toothpick comes out dry and the surface is golden brown.
Tips:
- Mise en place: Before you start baking, make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment you need. This will help you stay organized and avoid any scrambling during the process.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly affect the final product, so make sure to use the best you can find.
- Follow the recipe carefully: Colomba is a delicate pastry, so it's important to follow the recipe closely. Don't skip any steps or substitute ingredients, as this could ruin the final product.
- Be patient: Colomba takes time to make, so be patient and don't rush the process. The dough needs time to rise and the baking time is long, but it's worth the wait for a delicious and beautiful colomba.
Conclusion:
Colomba di Pasqua is a delicious and festive bread that is perfect for Easter celebrations. With its intricate design and sweet, fluffy texture, it's sure to be a hit with family and friends. If you're looking for a new Easter tradition, give this recipe a try. With a little patience and care, you can create a beautiful and delicious colomba that will be the centerpiece of your Easter table.
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