Colomba – Easter Dove Cake

In Italy, this delicious cake is typically eaten at Easter.

Ingredients

• 1 lb all-purpose flour
• 5 oz butter
• 4 ½ oz sugar
• 1 ¾ oz yeast
• 3 eggs
• 5 oz mixed candied fruit
• almonds, sweet to taste
• coarse sugar to taste
• ⅛ oz salt

Preparation

30 minutes preparation + 25 minutes cooking

Dissolve the yeast in a little warm water and slowly work in half of the flour; allow the dough to rise in a warm place in a floured bowl.

When the dough has doubled in size, place it in a larger bowl and add the remaining flour, beaten eggs, melted butter, sugar and salt.

Work the dough gently until it stops sticking to the sides of the bowl, cover with a cloth and allow to rise for another hour.
Sprinkle flour on the raisins and the candied peel then shake excess flour away in a sieve.

Add the raisins and candied peel to the dough, place in a dove-shaped mould and decorate with almonds, baste with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar crystals.

Cook in a moderate oven for 20-25 minutes.

Food history