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Zhavoronki
Lark-shaped buns
Жаворонки: Russian lark-shaped buns for the Forty Martyrs, welcoming spring
On 22 March (9 March in the old calendar), the Orthodox feast of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste falls during Lent, and in Russian villages it was the day the larks were said to return. Children were given zhavoronki, little bread larks, and ran outside to toss them in the air and call the spring. The dough is a lightly sweet yeast dough, and because it is Lent it was made without eggs or butter, so this version is vegan. Raisins or peppercorns make the eyes. Chef's tip: tie a simple knot from a dough rope for each bird and snip the tail; it is quicker than sculpting and keeps the shape.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
- 1 ⅛ lb plain flour
- 2 ⅛ oz sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ¼ cups lukewarm water
- 3 tbsp sunflower oil
- 24 raisinsfor eyes
- 2 tbsp strong sweet teafor brushing
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Mix 1 ⅛ lb plain flour, ¼ oz fast-action dried yeast, 2 ⅛ oz sugar and 1 tsp salt. Add 1 ¼ cups lukewarm water and 3 tbsp sunflower oil and knead for 8 minutes to a smooth, soft dough. Cover and leave for 1 hour, until doubled.
8 minStep 2: Divide into 12 pieces and roll each into a rope about 25 cm long. Tie a loose single knot. One end becomes the head: pinch it into a beak. Flatten the other end and snip it 3–4 times with scissors for tail feathers.
20 minStep 3: Press two of 24 raisins in for eyes. Snip small cuts along the back for wings if you like. Set on lined trays, cover and leave for 30 minutes.
Step 4: Brush with 2 tbsp strong sweet tea. Bake at 400°F (350°F fan) for 15–18 minutes, until golden. A common mistake is a long final rise, which makes the birds puff into shapeless buns.
17 minStep 5: Cool on a rack and give to children to 'call the spring' outside.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 180 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does zhavoronki take?
- About 60 minutes in total: 40 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of fast-action dried yeast?
- Fresh yeast, three times the weight.
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