Soft Easter cake made with an easy single dough
The mini eggless doves filled with Nutella® are a simple and indulgent version of the classic Easter dove. I make this recipe when I want an easy, soft cake that is also suitable for those who cannot eat eggs.
The peculiarity of this recipe is that it is made with a single, very simple dough, flavored with orange zest and almond extract. After baking, I fill the doves with Nutella, which makes them even softer and irresistible.
They are perfect for:
an Easter breakfast
party snacks
homemade gifts
Also try these eggless Easter desserts:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Budget-friendly
- Rest time: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 1 Hour
- Cooking time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 10/12
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Easter
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp cup (≈100 g) all-purpose flour (type 0)
- 3/4 cup + 2 tbsp cup (≈200 ml / 7 fl oz) milk
- 1 1/4 tsp tsp (≈4 g fresh baker's yeast) fresh baker's yeast
- 3 1/4 cups cup (≈400 g) all-purpose flour (type 0)
- 3/4 cup cup (≈150 g) sugar
- 3.4 fl oz fl oz (≈100 ml / about 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp) milk
- 7 tbsp tbsp (≈100 g / 3.5 oz) butter
- 1 3/4 tsp tsp (≈6 g fresh baker's yeast) fresh baker's yeast
- orange zest
- almond extract
- Nutella® (Or other spreads as desired)
Tools
🔻 100 g molds: https://wwwz.amazon.it/dp/B0788BVTTD?tag=gz-blog-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1&ascsubtag=0-f-n-av_esplosionedigusto
- Mini dove molds
Steps
👩🍳 Preparation video HERE.
-
Prepare the preferment (sponge)
First, put the flour, the yeast and the milk in a bowl.
Mix well, cover and let rise:
in the refrigerator overnight
or
at room temperature for about 30 minutes, until it has doubled in volume.
Make the dough
When the preferment is ready, place the flour, the sugar, the milk and the remaining yeast in a bowl.
Add the prepared preferment.
Begin kneading for about 15 minutes.
You should obtain an elastic dough that comes away from the sides of the bowl.
At this point add the butter little by little and continue kneading until it is fully incorporated.
Finally add the orange zest and the almond extract and mix well.
Shape the mini doves
Form a ball and divide the dough into pieces of about 100 g each (≈3.5 oz).
Divide each piece in half.
Form two small rolls.
Place them in the mold, overlapping them to create the dove shape.
Prepare the glaze
In a bowl put the corn flour, the starch, the chopped almonds and the sugar.
Mix well.
Add the milk little by little until you obtain a smooth cream.
Baking
When the doves have risen, spread the glaze on top and add pearl (coarse) sugar.
Bake in the oven at 356°F for about 30 minutes.
Filling
When the doves are completely cool, fill them with Nutella® using a piping bag.
-
✨ Result
You will get soft, fragrant and super-indulgent mini eggless doves with a creamy Nutella® center.
Perfect for a simple and irresistible Easter treat.
Storage:
Mini doves can be stored:
3 days at room temperature, well covered
up to 1 month in the freezer
Before serving you can warm them slightly in the oven.
FAQ (Questions & Answers)
Can I use another spread?Yes, you can use pistachio cream, pastry cream or jam.
Can they be made without the glaze?Yes, you can bake them without the glaze or dust them with powdered sugar.
Can I freeze them?Yes, you can freeze them once baked and cooled.
