An Italian Legend
The Story of the Dove Cake is an Easter legend in Italy. Once there was a king who wanted to capture a city. His horse did not cooperated and would not enter battle. While trying to get his horse to charge through the city, a young girl offered the horse a piece of cake that was shaped like a dove, the bird of peace. Upon receiving this gift, the king decided not to conquer the city with his army after all.
Italian Easter Dove Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 lb all-purpose flour
- 5 oz butter
- 4 ½ oz sugar
- 1 ¾ oz fresh 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.
Sharon Ely Pearson is a 30+ year Christian formation veteran, currently serving as an editor and the Christian Formation Specialist for Church Publishing Incorporated. Wife, mother, soon-to-be-grandmother, and author, she enjoys connecting people with each other and the resources they need for growing in the knowledge and love of Jesus.
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