Easter Colomba

Explore la bellezza of Italy.

The Easter colomba is Italy’s popular Easter sweet bread. It’s the counterpart of the Christmas panettone but in the shape of a dove – and dove in Italian is colomba.

It is traditionally made with quality flour, fresh eggs, sugar, butter, and natural yeast. After rising for at least 30 hours, the dough is then baked into the iconic dove shape and finally topped with sugar and almonds.

The colomba dates back to the 1930s to Motta, a company in Milan, owned by baker and businessman, Angelo Motta. Motta was already famous for its Christmas panettone.

Although originating in Milan, the Easter colomba is sold in shops and bakeries throughout Italy. Wrapped in beautiful packaging, the colomba is a popular gift for family and friends to enjoy Easter morning.

While you can enjoy the traditional colomba, you may be tempted to try additional flavours including chocolate, cherry, pear and pistachio. For breakfast, you can enjoy a piece of colomba with mascarpone or hazelnut spread along with a coffee or tea. And for lunch or dinner, you can have a slice of colomba with a glass of sweet, sparkling wine. However you decide to enjoy your colomba, we wish you a Buona Pasqua!