Easy and quick Easter cake with a soft dough
The mini doves without eggs are a perfect Easter cake, ideal for those who are intolerant to eggs or who simply prefer a lighter version of the classic dove cake.
I make these mini doves with a quick dough and a small preferment, without eggs and without candied fruit, but with all the fragrance of orange zest and almond extract. The result is a soft and fragrant cake, perfect for Easter breakfast or holiday snacks.
What I like about this recipe is that it is made with just a few steps and a single dough, so it is much simpler than the traditional dove cake.
Also try these egg-free recipes:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Budget-friendly
- Rest time: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 40 Minutes
- Portions: 10/12
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Easter
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup + 2 tbsp milk
- 2 tsp fresh yeast
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 7 tbsp milk
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/3 tsp fresh yeast
- 7 tbsp butter
- orange zest
- almond extract
- 3/4 cup almonds
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cornmeal
- 2 tbsp sugar
- as needed milk
- pearl sugar
Steps
👩🍳 Preparation video HERE.
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I make the preferment
First, put the flour, yeast and milk in a bowl.
Mix well, cover and let rest:
in the refrigerator overnight
or
about 30 minutes at room temperature.
I prepare the dough
When the preferment is ready, put the flour, sugar, milk and the remaining yeast in a bowl.
Add the preferment and start mixing at medium speed for about 15 minutes.
You should obtain a soft and elastic dough.
At this point, add the butter little by little and continue kneading until it is fully incorporated.
Finally add the orange zest and almond extract and mix well.
Shape the mini doves
Transfer the dough to the work surface.
Form a ball and divide the dough into pieces of about 100 g (3.5 oz) each.
Divide each piece in half.
Shape two little rolls and place them overlapped in the molds to form the dove shape.
Proofing
Cover the molds and let rise until almost to the edge.
Proofing time may vary depending on room temperature.
I prepare the glaze
In a bowl, put the cornmeal, cornstarch, chopped almonds and sugar.
Mix well.
Add the milk little by little until you get a soft cream.
Baking
When the mini doves have risen, spread the glaze on top and add a little pearl sugar.
Bake in the oven at 356°F for about 30 minutes.
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✨ Result
You will get soft, fragrant mini doves without eggs, perfect for Easter, ideal for those looking for an egg-free cake without candied fruit and with a simple, quick dough.
storage:
The mini doves keep:
3 days at room temperature well covered
up to 1 month in the freezer
Before serving you can warm them a few minutes in the oven.
FAQ (Questions & Answers)
Can I add chocolate chips?Yes, you can replace the candied fruit with chocolate chips.
Can I freeze them?Yes, once baked and cooled they can be frozen for up to 1 month.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?Yes, you can substitute butter with margarine for a lighter version.
