Italian Easter/ Christmas Dove Bread

Submitted by Mercy

"This rich and tender loaf is formed into a dove and decorated with balls of sweet almond paste for Easter and Christmas. It represents a dove of peace. This recipe is from Fleischmann's yeast company."

 

• Ready In: 5hrs
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• DOUGH

• 2 large eggs
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 1⁄4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine, cut up
• 1⁄4 cup water (70º to 80ºF)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 1⁄4 cups bread flour
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon, rind of
• 2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

• TOPPING

• 1⁄2 cup almond paste
• 1⁄4 cup bread flour
• 1 large egg, divided use
• 1⁄4 cup slivered almonds
• 1 whole clove

directions

1. To make dough: Measure 2 eggs, milk, butter, water, salt, 3 1/4 cups flour, sugar, lemon peel and yeast into bread machine pan in the order suggested by manufacturer.
2. Process on dough/manual cycle.
3. To make topping: Combine almond paste, 1/4 cup flour and 1 egg yolk (reserve egg white); knead 5 to 6 times or until smooth.
4. Form into 1/2-inch balls; set aside.
5. To shape: When cycle is complete, remove dough to floured surface.
6. If necessary, knead in additional flour to make dough easy to handle.
7. Divide dough in half.
8. For wings, roll one half of dough to 10 × 5-inch oval.
9. Arrange in center of greased large baking sheet, curving ends downward.
10. For body, roll remaining half of dough to a triangle, 15 inches high and 6 inches wide (at base); place on center of oval.
11. Fold over top third of triangle from left to right; shape to form dove head.
12. Fold over bottom third of triangle from right to left to form tail.
13. With sharp knife, slash wings and tail at 1-inch intervals to form feathers.
14. Lightly beat reserved egg white; brush on dough.
15. Arrange almond paste balls, 1/2 inch apart, on body, tail and wings.
16. Press one slivered almond into each ball.
17. Press clove into head for eye.
18. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes.
19. Bake at 325ºF for 35 to 40 minutes or until done.
20. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack.