Italy during EasterEaster in Italy will not be without the lovely
Yummy cake in form of a dove, a
Easter dove sign of peace.
Easter dove cake the colombaJust like the Italian panettone it is possible to make this
Easter cake also but will take days before you can put it into the oven.
You will have to do it in different steps
Begin: Easter cake4 table spoons water, 1/4 teaspoonful of sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast (same one I use in Bangkok to make pizza) and 8 tablespoons flour (I'll use any flour available - all purpose)
Next step 2 - Easter cake2/3 cup flour, 4 large egg yolks from the condo shop downstairs (get them from 7 Eleven or wherever), another 3 table spoons of water and 2 teaspoons of sugar
Next step to our Easter cake is step 3around 160g unsalted butter leave it out of the fridge to soften in my case Bangkok (where by the way we are seeing very big protests aiming at parliament dissolution and going back to vote by the red shirts is underway tomorrow) just a few minutes and my butter is as soft, another 5 tablespoons sugar and 2 large yolks, 2 tablespoons warm whole milk and another 2 1/4 flour
Next is step 4 on the Easter cake preparations.1/2 cup water, 1 1/2 teaspoons yeast,2 cups flour and another around 50g of butter,
6 tablespoons sugar,4 large egg yolks,3 tablespoons milk,2 teaspoons vanilla extract(if you have),1 1/2 teaspoons salt,1 1/2 cups chopped candied orange peel in bangkok get them from carrefour in the fruit section
Moving on with Easter cake to Step 51/2 cup flour, 2 dove-shaped paper baking molds or whatever baking pans you have really whether its a dove or heart or circle its all the same.
Easter cake step 6 baking1 cup sugar,1/2 cup whole almonds,3 large egg whites,1 1/3 cups sliced almonds and powdered sugar.
step 1: Easter cakeMix water and sugar in bowl then Stir in yeast and leave it to stand until yeast dissolves, about 10 minutes. Then mix in flour till dough is firm. Cover this with plastic wrap and leave it to rise about 45 minutes.
step 2: Easter cakeAdd all ingredients in step 2 to starter. Beat until blended about 5 minutes the dough will be soft and thick. Cover bowl with plastic. Let dough rise at room temperature for about 1 hour.
step 3: Easter cakeAdd first 5 ingredients in step 3 to dough and beat until blended. Add flour. Beat at low speed until smooth about 5 minutes. Cover bowl with plastic; let dough rise at room temperature until lighter in texture for about 3 1/2 hours. The dough will double in volume.
For step 4: Easter cakeMix water and yeast in small cup. Let stand until yeast dissolves, about 10 minutes; add to dough. Add 1 1/3 cups flour, half of butter, sugar, and 2 yolks; beat until dough is smooth, about 3 minutes. Add remaining 2 yolks, milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat at low speed until blended, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining 2/3 cup flour, remaining butter, and orange peel. Beat dough until well blended, about 5 minutes.Put the dough into buttered bowl. Cover with plastic. Let dough rise about 8 to 10 hours.
step 5: Easter cakeSprinkle 1/2 cup flour onto work surface. Put the dough on floured work surface. work the dough in flour then brush away excess flour and divide dough into 3 equal pieces. Depending on the oven plate that you have shape it accordingly in the pans. Cover pans with plastic. Let stand at room temperature until dough rises to top of each pan for about 3 1/4 hours.
step 6: Baking Easter cake
Preheat to 375 F. Grind sugar and whole almonds in processor. Add the egg whites for 10 seconds. Remove the plastic off dough in pans. Put half of almonds and sprinkle each with sliced almonds then sift powdered sugar over and into the oven
Bake about 45 minutes. Happy Easter everyone!
