Learn how to make Ukrainian Easter Bread Doves (Holuby) with this easy-to-follow tutorial (with recipe)! These cute, edible ornamental doves are used to decorate Ukrainian Easter Baskets, Ukrainian Easter bread, and Korovai (wedding bread) and symbolize spring. I remember seeing these Easter doves as a kid, but they were on fancy towers of bread and did not look like they were edible. In fact, some of them would have actually been varnished to preserve them. I was really glad when I could make them and actually eat them. It was like a childhood fantasy come true.... And now you can too!
These cute little edible ornamental doves are used to decorate the Easter baskets that carry bread to church on Easter Sunday as an offering. I make these bread doves because it's tradition, and I decorate my Ukrainian Easter bread (recipes below). Easter doves are fun and easy to make with this simple step-by-step tutorial! They are perfect for placing on my Paska Bread recipe and my Ukrainian Babka for Easter!
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And if you love Ukrainian bread, be sure to try my easy bread machine Kolach (Ukrainian Christmas bread)!
In an earlier time in Ukraine, on the Holy Day of the 40 Martyrs, (March 9, O.S; March 22, N.S.), the return of the birds in the spring was celebrated with special spring songs (vesnianky). Birds made of dough were also baked, representing the larks that were migrating back to the north.
Today, these bread "doves" still symbolize spring and are made for Easter. These doves are also used to decorate wedding bread called Korovai, a traditional bread used at weddings and anniversaries that symbolizes family and community. The Korovai is decorated with these ornamental baked doves: two birds represent the couple, and other dove ornaments represent family and friends.
🥘 Ingredient Notes
- Cooking oil. I use Canola oil, but you can use vegetable oil.
- Yellow food coloring. You only need a very small amount, and you can use regular grocery store food coloring.
*See recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities
To Ukrainians, bread is kind of a big deal. In fact, Ukrainians regard bread as one of the holiest of foods. Not only is it brought to church on Easter Sunday as an offering, but it is also used to greet honored guests at home.
Ukrainians celebrate almost every holiday (Christmas and Easter) and special occasion (like weddings and anniversaries) with bread. And if you ever have the honor of attending a traditional Ukrainian wedding, you will marvel at the towers of elaborately decorated breads.
🔪 How to Make Ukrainian Easter Doves
PREP: Make the dough
- If more flour is needed, add a little at a time. The dough should be thick, like Play-Doh dough
- Roll out the dough into snakes about the thickness of a finger; cut into 2 - 4 inch sections
- Place one strip horizontally on your work surface; lay another strip on top like a cross
- Pull the arm of the strip up and cross to the opposite side.
- Now pull the other (left) side across (left side becomes right, right side becomes left)
- Flatten and shape slightly as for wings, then use a plastic or regular knife to cut little feathers into tail
- Using the other (non-cutting side) of the knife blade, press feather impressions into wings
- Shape one end of the straight strip of dough like a head (pinch for a beak)
- Add a poppy seed or piece of a currant for eyes (I used pieces of currants- not the entire currant)
⏲️ Baking time
- Let rise for 5 minutes * do not leave them any longer than this or they will puff up too much and look strange
- Place the doves in a preheated oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove and brush with the beaten egg, which has been diluted with 1 teaspoon of water. Return to the oven for another 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven. Cool for 5 minutes.
- Insert a toothpick into the bottom of each dove to enable insertion into decorative ritual breads.
Ukrainian Dove tutorial
Easter doves are a great way to celebrate Easter and a fun family Easter activity to do with kids! They are also ideal to make with larger groups of kids. In fact, it's so easy that I did this with a class of 8-year-olds when my son was in Grade 3 and my daughter's girl guides group (ages 8 and 9), and they loved it!
I printed this out and gave it to each child (it really helped)!
Expert Recipe Tips
- Use Warm Water for Better Dough Texture. The boiling water helps create a pliable dough, but let it cool slightly before adding the egg to prevent scrambling.
- Knead Until Smooth. The dough should be thick, like Play-Doh. If it's too sticky, gradually add more flour until it reaches the right consistency.
- Avoid Over-Rising. Only let the doves rise for 5 minutes before baking. Any longer, and they may puff up too much and lose their shape.
- Shape Doves on a Non-Stick Surface. Use a lightly floured surface or parchment paper when shaping the doves to prevent sticking.
- Be Gentle with the Feather Details. When creating the feather impressions with a knife, press lightly to avoid cutting through the dough.
- Egg Wash for a Golden Finish. Brushing the doves with an egg wash after the first bake gives them a beautiful golden color and slight shine.
- Use a Toothpick for Easy Placement. Insert a toothpick into the base of each dove while they are still warm—this makes it easier to attach them to Paska or Korovai later.
- Make Smaller Doves for Weddings. If using the doves for Korovai (Ukrainian wedding bread), make them slightly smaller to fit the bread's decoration.
🌡️Storing
You can keep these doves at room temperature for 3-4 days. However, I freeze them (with the bread) if I want to keep them longer. They will freeze for up to 3 months.
👪 Serving Size
This recipe makes 30 doves. You can half, double, or triple the number by clicking on the serving size on the recipe card and selecting the number you'd like. The ingredient amounts will adjust accordingly.
❔Recipe FAQ's
Yes! You can prepare the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just let it come to room temperature before shaping the doves
Yes, these bread doves freeze well. Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw at room temperature
If the dough rises for too long before baking, the doves may become overly puffy and lose their shape. Let them rise for only 5 minutes before baking to maintain their structure.
If you don’t have currants, you can use poppy seeds, black sesame seeds, or even tiny bits of chocolate.
No, the yellow food coloring is optional. It just gives the doves a slightly golden appearance, but they will still turn a nice color from the egg wash.
And be sure to check out my other Ukrainian Easter Recipes
📋More Ukrainian Recipes
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🕊️Ukrainian Easter Bread Doves Recipe (Holuby)
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 drops yellow food coloring
- 3 cups all- purpose flour
Egg Wash:
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 teaspoon water or milk
Garnish
- currants (for doves' eyes)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/176 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
Make the dough:
- Combine the first 5 ingredients. Mix well with a wooden spoon.1 cup boiling water, 1 teaspoon cooking oil, 1 teaspoon white sugar, 1 egg, 2 drops yellow food coloring
- Add only 2 of the cups flour to start. Knead by hand on a floured surface.3 cups all- purpose flour
- If more flour is needed, add a little at a time. (up to the 3 cups, but you may not need it ). The dough should be thick, like play-Doh
Shape the doves:
- Roll out the dough into snakes about the thickness of a finger; cut into 2 - 4 inch sections.
- Place one strip horizontally on your work surface; lay another strip on top like a cross
- Pull the arm of the strip beneath up and cross to the opposite side.
- Now pull the other (left) side across (left side becomes right, right side becomes left)
- Flatten and shape slightly as for wings, then use a plastic or regular knife to cut little feathers into tail
- Using the other (non-cutting side) of the knife blade, press feather impressions into wings
- Shape one end of the straight strip of dough like a head (pinch for a beak)
- Add a poppy seed or piece of a currant for eyes (I used pieces of currants- not the entire currant)
- Let rise for 5 minutes.
Bakes the doves:
- Then palce the doves in preheated oven and bake for 10 mintues.
- Remove and brush with the beaten egg, which has been diluted with 1 teaspoon of water1 egg, 1 teaspoon water or milk
- Return to the oven for another 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven. Cool for 5 minutes.
- Insert a toothpick on the bottom of each dove to enable insertion into decorative ritual breads (see photos in post).
Notes
-
- Use Warm Water for Better Dough Texture. The boiling water helps create a pliable dough, but let it cool slightly before adding the egg to prevent scrambling.
-
- Knead Until Smooth. The dough should be thick, like Play-Doh. If it's too sticky, gradually add more flour until it reaches the right consistency.
-
- Avoid Over-Rising. Only let the doves rise for 5 minutes before baking. Any longer, and they may puff up too much and lose their shape.
-
- Shape Doves on a Non-Stick Surface. Use a lightly floured surface or parchment paper when shaping the doves to prevent sticking.
-
- Be Gentle with the Feather Details. When creating the feather impressions with a knife, press lightly to avoid cutting through the dough.
-
- Egg Wash for a Golden Finish. Brushing the doves with an egg wash after the first bake gives them a beautiful golden color and slight shine.
-
- Use a Toothpick for Easy Placement. Insert a toothpick into the base of each dove while they are still warm—this makes it easier to attach them to Paska or Korovai later.
-
- Make Smaller Doves for Weddings. If using the doves for Korovai (Ukrainian wedding bread), make them slightly smaller to fit the bread's decoration.
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