Lark-shaped buns for Candlemas: how to make a traditional Ukrainian pastry

It has long been a tradition to make pastries in the shape of larks on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas). These birds are known to symbolize the arrival of spring. In this way, Ukrainians called for spring to come earlier, because they believed that it brings not only warmth but also joy.

Food blogger Yulia Senych shared how to make lark-shaped pastries for the holiday on Instagram. The result is delicious buns for tea.

Ingredients

• warm water - 250 ml
• dry yeast - 5 g
• flour - 450-500 g
• salt - ½ tsp
• oil - 50 ml
• sugar - 75 g
• vanilla sugar
• egg yolk for greasing

Method of preparation

1. Pour yeast and sugar into slightly warm water. Sift in half of the flour and leave the dough in a warm place for 15-20 minutes.

2. Pour oil into the dough, which has formed a characteristic foamy cap, add a pinch of salt, and sift the rest of the flour.

3. Knead a soft dough. Leave it in a warm place under a towel for 1.5 hours, periodically kneading it (after 40 minutes, you can knead it and leave it for another 30-40 minutes).

4. Knead the dough again, which has increased in volume, and divide it into 10-12 equal parts.

5. Roll it out into a sausage, thicker at the edges than in the center. Tie a knot so that there is a tail and a head formed.

6. Shape the beak and insert black peppercorns as eyes. Leave to rise for 30 minutes.

7.  Brush with egg yolk and sprinkle with sugar.

8. Bake at 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes.