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Zhavoronki (Russian Easter Lark Buns)
Zhavoronki is the Russian name for these lark-shaped bread rolls, traditionally made during Easter in Russia. The plump little birds are almost too cute to eat!
Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs
Servings:
8
buns
Calories:
109 kcal
Course:
Bread
Cuisine:
Russian, Eastern European
Ingredients
- 1 recipe of Sweet Dough about 3 cups of dough, master
- 2 tbsp apricot jam optional, or maple syrup
- whole cloves optional, for making the bird “eyes”, or raisins
Instructions
- Make 1 recipe of Master Sweet Dough following the recipe instructions and let rise until nearly doubled in size (around 1 ½ hours in a warm environment, or up to 3 hours in a colder room).
- Divide dough into 8 roughly equal pieces (no need to be exact) and roll into balls.
- Cover with a damp towel and let rest 5 minutes. This lets the gluten in the dough relax so it’s easier to shape.
- Roll each ball into an 8-inch log, then tie it into a knot. Choose the shorter end of the knot for the bird’s “head” and poke a hole through it using a toothpick or skewer. Thread whole cloves or raisins through the holes for the eyes. Pinch the tip to make the bird’s beak.
- Using a pastry cutter or scissors, make 3 to 4 cuts to the other end of the knot and fan it out slightly to make the “tail.” Repeat with all eight pieces of dough.
- Set each zhavoronki at least 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with a damp towel and let rise until puffy, around 45 minutes at room temperature or 30 minutes in a warmer environment. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 °F (190 °C).
- Just before baking, brush each bird with generous amounts of 2 tbsp apricot jam or maple syrup. Bake on the middle rack for 20 minutes, rotating halfway through and brushing more jam or maple syrup on top.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
109kcal
(5%)
Carbohydrates
18g
(6%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
3g
(5%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Sodium
133mg
(6%)
Potassium
40mg
(1%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
138IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
0.5mg
(1%)
Calcium
7mg
(1%)
Iron
0.4mg
(2%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 buns
Amount Per Serving
Calories 109
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 109kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 18g | 6% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Sodium | 133mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 40mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 138IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 0.5mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 7mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.4mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.