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Home » Recipes » Cuisine » Ukrainian Recipes

Ukrainian Easter Bread Doves (Holuby)

Published: Mar 18, 2019 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Sep 21, 2021 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Ukrainian Easter doves in a basket
Ukrainian Easter bread doves in basket with Ukrainian Easter Eggs in background

I remember seeing these Ukrainian Easter Bread Doves (Holuby) 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!

Ukrainian Easter Doves made of bread decorating a loaf of paska in basket (with candle in the middle)

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!

Jump to:
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • ⏲️ Baking time
  • 🌡️Storing
  • 👪 Serving Size
  • ⭐ Reviews
  • 🕊️Ukrainian Easter Bread Doves Recipe (Holuby)
  • 📋More Ukrainian Recipes

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.

close up of edible Ukrainian Easter bread Dove used to decorate paska bread (sitting on bread)

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.

🥘 Ingredients

For this holuby recipe you'll need:

  • boiling water
  • cooking oil
  • white granulated sugar
  • egg
  •  yellow food coloring
  • all-purpose flour 

*see recipe card for quantities

 
 
Ukrainian Easter bread doves in basket with Ukrainian Easter Eggs in background

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, it 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.

🔪 Instructions

  1. If more flour is needed, add a little at a time. The dough should be thick, like play dough
  2. Roll out the dough into snakes about the thickness of a finger; cut into 2 -  4 inch sections
  3. Place one strip horizontally on your work surface; lay another strip on top like a cross
  4. Pull the arm of the strip beneath up and cross to the opposite side. 
  5. Now pull the other (left) side across (left side becomes right, right side becomes left)
  6. Flatten and shape slightly as for wings, then use a plastic or regular knife to cut little feathers into tail
  7. Using the other (non-cutting side) of the knife blade, press feather impressions into wings
  8. Shape one end of the straight strip of dough like a head (pinch for a beak)
  9. Add a poppy seed or piece of a currant for eyes (I used pieces of currants- not the entire currant)
collage of 9 photos showing how to make Ukrainian bread doves

⏲️ 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
bread doves on parchment lined baking sheet
  • 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.
doves on parchment brushed with egg wash
  • Remove from oven. Cool for 5 minutes.
  • Insert a toothpick on the bottom of each dove to enable insertion into decorative ritual breads.

Ukrainian Dove tutorial

Easter doves are 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)!

3 step directions on how to make a Ukrainian Easter Dove

🌡️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 (in blue) on the recipe card and selecting the number you'd like. The ingredient amounts will adjust accordingly.

Here are some EASY BREAD MACHINE Ukrainian Easter Babka Bread, Paska and Kolach Bread Recipes to go with your Easter Doves!

Bread Machine Babka

Bread Maker Babka | Ukrainian Easter Bread - Foodmeanderings.com

Bread Machine Paska

Bread Machine Kolach-Ukrainian Christmas bread

Kolach Ukrainian Christmas Bread on black platter with Ukrainian candle in the middle and Christmas decorations in the background

⭐ Reviews

Did you make this recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

Please SUBSCRIBE  (get my FREE E-cookbook) and be sure to FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

Ukrainian Bread Doves in an Easter basket with candle
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🕊️Ukrainian Easter Bread Doves Recipe (Holuby)

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, Korovai (wedding bread) and symbolize spring.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert, Edible decoration
Cuisine: Ukrainian
Keyword: bread, doves, Easter, ornamental, Ukrainian
Servings: 30 doves
Calories: 51kcal
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
rising time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 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
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F line a baking sheet with parchment paper
  • Combine the first 5 ingredients. Add one cup flour. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
  • Add another two cups flour. Knead by hand on a floured surface.
  • If more flour is needed, add a little at a time. The dough should be thick, like play dough.
    Dough on cutting board
  • Roll out the dough into snakes about the thickness of a finger; cut into 2 -  4 inch sections.
    Thickness of dough compared to finger
  • Place one strip horizontally on your work surface; lay another strip on top like a cross
    Dough in 2 strips shaped 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)
    the other side of the dough cross is pulled across to opposite side
  • Flatten and shape slightly as for wings, then use a plastic or regular knife to cut little feathers into tail
    plastic knife being used to cut feathers into tail of dove
  • Using the other (non-cutting side) of the knife blade, press feather impressions into wings
    other (non-cutting side) of knife being used to make feather impressions in wings
  • Shape one end of the straight strip of dough like a head (pinch for a beak)
    fingers being used to form head into beak
  • Add a poppy seed or piece of a currant for eyes (I used pieces of currants- not the entire currant)
    Currant piece is added to the dove for an eye
  • Let rise for 5 minutes, then place the doves in a preheated oven for 10 minutes.
    bread doves on parchment lined baking sheet
  • Remove and brush with the beaten egg, which has been diluted with 1 teaspoon of water
    doves on parchment brushed with egg wash
  • 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

 *Note: I make mine quite large, but they can be made smaller
**Note: These directions can be copied and handed out if doing this with kids
3 step directions on how to make a Ukrainian Easter Dove
My Amazon Recommendations (affiliate links)

Nutrition Facts
🕊️Ukrainian Easter Bread Doves Recipe (Holuby)
Amount Per Serving (1 dove)
Calories 51 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 11mg4%
Sodium 5mg0%
Potassium 17mg0%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 16IU0%
Calcium 4mg0%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1dove | Calories: 51kcal (3%) | Carbohydrates: 10g (3%) | Protein: 2g (4%) | Fat: 1g (2%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg (4%) | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 1g (1%) | Vitamin A: 16IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
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I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer and a busy working mom that is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

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