Easter is almost here, and it’s time to up the quotient of tasty carbs in your life. Perhaps the most well-known Easter sweet in my family’s house is the colomba di Pasqua, a sweet, eggy bread made in the shape of an Easter dove (my mother makes a beautiful one). Since you can’t have my mom’s, you should try the one made by STARTER BAKERY (if you had baker Brian Wood’s panettone over the winter holiday, well, here’s your next chapter). The bread comes with a gorgeous hazelnut glaze, studded with pearl sugar and almonds. It’s wonderful warmed up with your morning coffee. It’s $25, and will be available at Starter Bakery’s farmers’ market booth (Grand Lake 9am-2pm; Temescal 9am-1pm; Montclair 9am-1pm) on 3/23, 3/24, 3/30, and 3/31. There will also be delivery to Bi-Rite (both locations) on 3/28. It is highly recommended you pre-order from Starter Bakery (email here); orders must be received before 3/25 at noon.
Another classic Easter treat are hot cross buns, which you can pick up from RULLI (they are tender brioche pastries with raisins and candied fruit, with a custard cross on top). $3, available now through Easter. (Rulli also makes a wonderful colomba, plus adorable Easter bunny chocolates.)
Try another version of hot cross buns from LA BOULANGE BAKERY, which makes its hot cross buns with apricots, cranberries, and raisins ($1.95 each or $9.95 for six).
If you’re in the East Bay, you can swing by ROCKRIDGE MARKET HALL both for hot cross buns ($2.50 each) and an Easter colomba from Rustichella d’Abruzzo (which is fantastic, with candied orange inside and an almond crust). Oh, and The Pasta Shop is also offering pashka, a Russian Easter specialty of slightly sweetened cheese with fruit, almonds, and raisins. (Please note The Pasta Shop will be closed on Easter Sunday.)
Easter isn’t complete without some chocolate. Be sure to visit RECCHIUTI CONFECTIONS for its Easter offerings (available in the Ferry Building store, Little Nib, and online). You can pick up a chocolate Easter egg, burnt caramel truffles decorated with Easter images, and more.
Speaking of eggs, you have to take a look at the over-the-top egg display at ~CRAFTSMAN AND WOLVES~, mamma mia.
Thank you Easter Bunny, bwok bwok! Photo from Rulli’s Facebook page.
