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Chocolate Colomba

17/11/2023

The Chocolate Colomba is a delectable variation of the traditional Easter Dove, the Italian cake shaped like a dove that is a symbol of the holiday. Here is the recipe for preparing a delicious Chocolate Colomba:

Ingredients

For the dough:

  • 550 g of pastry flour
  • 180 g of sugar
  • 220 g of butter
  • 4 eggs (3 whole and 1 yolk)
  • 130 ml of milk
  • 20 g of fresh yeast
  • Grated zest of 1 orange and 1 lemon
  • 1 pinch of salt

For the chocolate addition:

  • 150 g of chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
  • 1 vanilla pod or vanilla extract

For the topping:

  • 150 g of dark chocolate
  • 100 g of granulated sugar or almonds

Preparation

  1. Dissolve the yeast in part of the warm milk with a teaspoon of sugar, then let it rest for 10 minutes.

  2. In a large bowl, mix the flour with the remaining sugar. Add the whole eggs, yolk, and the remaining milk a little at a time while kneading.

  3. Incorporate the dissolved yeast, grated orange and lemon zest, softened butter at room temperature, salt, and the vanilla seeds or extract.

  4. Work the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, then gently incorporate the chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate.

  5. Let the dough rise in a warm place free from draughts, covered with a damp cloth, for about 2-3 hours or until the volume has doubled.

  6. After rising, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it round, then place it into a dove-shaped mold.

  7. Allow to rise again for about an hour, until the dough reaches the top of the mold.

  8. Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Bake the Colomba for about 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Be careful not to open the oven for the first 30 minutes of baking.

  9. Remove the Colomba from the oven and let it cool completely on a rack.

  10. Melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler or microwave, then pour it over the surface of the Colomba, allowing it to also drip down the sides. Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle with granulated sugar or almonds.

  11. Let the chocolate set and serve.

Curiosity

The Easter Colomba has rather recent origins, dating back to the 20th century, and is often associated with a legend that attributes its invention to Saint Columbanus in the 6th century. As with Panettone and Pandoro, the Colomba too has become a symbol of the holiday celebrations, in this case, Easter. The chocolate variant adds a modern and even more indulgent note to the traditional sweet.

Chocolate Colomba