Welcome to Paulina Cocina! Do you know today’s dessert? Apart from being delicious, the Easter monkey It has tradition, history and a special day. As its name indicates, it is strongly linked to Easter holidays and various traditions that revolve around this religious holiday. Depending on the country in which you are located, Easter has a specific pastry, but due to the symbolism it is common for them to have a round shape. In this case, the Easter monkey is no exception.
But also, the homemade easter cake It is decorated like you have never seen before on any plate. Little chickens, eggs, feathers and a lot of other things that make her adorable. Not to mention how fluffy and sweet this recipe turns out.
Below, all the details.
About the Easter monkey
The Easter monkey It is typical mainly in Spain, especially in the regions of Catalonia, Valencia and Murcia. It is also traditional in some areas of the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, Aragon and CastellĂłn.
Starting at the beginning
The Easter monkey is a traditional sweet which is consumed in Spain, during the Holy Week and Easter celebrations. It is a tradition deeply rooted in the region and is a symbol of these festivities.
The Easter cake in Catalonia It is a type of cake or sponge cake made with a sweet and spongy dough. It usually has a round or crown shape and is decorated with chocolate eggs, featherssugar or chocolate figurines and other festive elements.
The chocolate eggs that are placed in the mona are the most characteristic and represent the arrival of spring and fertility. In the original versions of the Mona de Pascua, boiled chicken eggs dyed with natural dyes were used. Over time, these eggs were replaced by chocolate eggs and sugar figures.
Name “Mona” It comes from the Latin “munda”, which means “clean” or “pure.” It is believed that the term refers to the purity of the newly baptized, since in its beginnings, the Easter monkey It was offered as a gift to the godchildren on the day of their baptism.
Mona de Pascua and a deep-rooted tradition
- The tradition of Easter monkey dates back to ancient times, with pagan roots in some cultures, such as the Roman and Greek, where cakes with eggs were often offered to the gods as a symbol of fertility and rebirth. With the arrival of Christianity, this tradition was adopted and adapted.
- The Easter monkey It usually has a round or crown shape that is associated with the cycle of life and rebirth. The eggs that are placed on top of the monkey represent the resurrection of Christ and the arrival of spring, also symbolizing life and fertility.
- The Easter monkey It is a sweet that is enjoyed with family and shared with friends during Christmas celebrations. Easter. It is common for godparents to give the monkey to her godchildren as a gesture of affection. In some regions, children go out to the fields to have a snack Easter monkey and spend the day outdoors.
- The Easter monkey It is usually consumed on Easter Monday (also known as Easter Monday) and during Holy Week. It is especially popular in some autonomous communities in Spain, such as Catalonia, Valencia and Murcia, as well as in some Latin American countries.
La mona day (Easter)
The day of Easter monkeyalso know as “Mona’s Day“, varies according to tradition and region. In general, it is celebrated on Easter Monday, which is the day after Easter Sundayand is part of the Holy Week and Easter festivities.
In many places, Easter Monday is considered a holiday and is when families and friends gather to enjoy the Easter monkey and share moments of coexistence. In CataloniaFor example, Easter Monday is an important day for the Mona tradition, where godchildren receive a gift from their godparents.
Its importance on those dates is very similar to that of the Easter thread and the Easter eggs.
How do you eat Easter cakes?
The way to eat Easter Monas In Catalonia it can be different ways. Generally, the Mona is cut into portions and shared with family or friends during a meeting or snack. Each diner can choose their favorite portion, which may include a chocolate eggand taste it together with drinks such as cava (sparkling wine) or soft drinks.
Specially in rural areasit is also common to go out to the countryside to have a snack at Mona de Pascua and spend the day outdoors in a tradition known as “making fun in the field” (to act cute in the field). In this activity, families enjoy the candy in a festive and convivial atmosphere that seems like an excellent way to enjoy Easter.
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Easter cake recipe
Yield: 10 servings
Preparation time: 2 hours
Ingredients
- 500 g strong flour
- 100 g of sugar
- 100 ml warm milk
- 50 ml olive oil
- 25 grams of fresh yeast or 1 tablespoon of dry yeast (7 grams)
- 3 eggs
- Lemon or orange zest
- 1 pinch of salt
- chocolate eggs
- Powdered sugar
- Decorative feathers or sugar figurines (optional)
How to make Easter cake
- In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk with a teaspoon of sugar and let it sit bubbling for a few minutes. In another large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, pinch of salt and zest.
- Add the activated yeast, eggs and olive oil to the mixture and knead on a floured surface for 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean cloth and let rest in a warm place for 1-2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C. Divide the dough into two equal parts and shape them into a round or crown. Place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely. Before serving, sprinkle icing sugar on top to give them a finishing touch.
- Decorate the Easter Mona with chocolate eggs and, if desired, add decorative feathers or sugar figurines.
Source: www.paulinacocina.net
