Larks for Candlemas
Description
The recipe does not take much time. There are several kinds of lark pastries. I will describe two of the most common. The process is very easy and fun, so you can safely involve children in shaping them. They are sure to enjoy making them together. Serve warm or chilled. Perfect with tea.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Prepare the necessary ingredients.
- 2
Step 2
Pour a glass of warm water into a bowl. Crumble the yeast and add 2 teaspoons each of flour and sugar (from the total amount). Leave in a warm place for 20 minutes.
- 3
Step 3
When the time is up, add 3 tbsp flour.
- 4
Step 4
Mix lightly, pour in the oil and start kneading with a spoon. Gradually add the remaining flour. Knead by hand until the dough is soft and elastic.
- 5
Step 5
Shape the finished dough into a ball, transfer it to a bowl greased with vegetable oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot for 30 minutes.
- 6
Step 6
When 30 minutes have passed, punch down the dough. Cover tightly with plastic wrap again and leave in a warm place for 1 hour.
- 7
Step 7
When the time is up, the dough will have increased noticeably. It is ready to be divided and shaped.
- 8
Step 8
Divide the dough into pieces of equal weight. I got 20 pieces of 34 grams each.
- 9
Step 9
First option for shaping the larks. Roll a piece of dough into an elongated strand. One end of the strand should be slightly thicker than the other. Tie a knot so that the thickened end sits at the top of the knot. Now finish shaping. Make the beak, use raisins for the eyes. Snip the thin end of the strand in several places with scissors to shape the tail. The lark is ready.
- 10
Step 10
Second variant for shaping larks. Take a piece of dough and roll it lightly into a flat sheet. With your fingers, press one quarter of the sheet to form the lark’s head. Pinch the beak. Cut the rest of the sheet with scissors. Fold the loose lower edge upward. Make several cuts with scissors to shape the tail and a small wing. Use a raisin for the eye. The lark is ready.
- 11
Step 11
Arrange the prepared pastry birds on a baking sheet, spacing them apart. Let stand for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C. Before putting the larks in the oven, brush them with beaten egg. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown. Adjust for how your oven bakes.
- 12
Step 12
Remove the finished ptichki from the baking sheet and cool.
- 13
Step 13
Ready. Serve at the table.