Easter Bread from Italy

  

Easter is a time for celebration and renewal, and in Italy, it is customary to celebrate with a special Easter bread called "Colomba Pasquale." This delicious bread is made with a rich dough that is flavored with orange zest and spices, and it is filled with candied fruits and almonds.

 

Colomba Pasquale is traditionally shaped like a dove, which is a symbol of peace and hope. The bread is often decorated with powdered sugar and candied fruits, and it is served on Easter Sunday with a glass of sweet wine.

 

Here is a recipe for Colomba Pasquale:

 

Ingredients:

 

For the dough:

500 grams (1.1 pounds) all-purpose flour

100 grams (3.5 ounces) sugar

100 grams (3.5 ounces) butter, softened

50 grams (1.75 ounces) fresh yeast

3 eggs

1 egg yolk

100 milliliters (3.4 fluid ounces) milk

1 orange, zested

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the filling:

100 grams (3.5 ounces) candied orange peel

100 grams (3.5 ounces) candied citron

100 grams (3.5 ounces) candied lemon peel

100 grams (3.5 ounces) sliced almonds

For the glaze:

1 egg white

1 tablespoon powdered sugar

For the decoration:

Candied fruits and almonds, to taste

Powdered sugar, to taste

Instructions:

 

Make the dough:

 

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, butter, yeast, eggs, egg yolk, milk, orange zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Mix the ingredients together until a dough forms.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes.

Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth.

Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

Add the filling:

 

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.

Roll the dough out into a large rectangle.

Spread the candied fruits and almonds evenly over the dough.

Roll the dough up jelly-roll style.

Pinch the seam closed and tuck the ends under the dough to form a loaf shape.

Place the dough in a greased loaf pan and cover with a damp cloth.

Let the dough rise for another hour.

Bake the bread:

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan.

Glaze the bread:

 

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and powdered sugar until smooth.

Brush the glaze over the top of the bread.

Decorate the bread with additional candied fruits and almonds, if desired.

Dust the bread with powdered sugar.

Serve and enjoy!