Colomba di Pasqua — Italy

Italy's Colomba di Pasqua is the most iconic Easter dove cake, shaped like a dove and topped with pearl sugar and almonds. Created in the 1930s by Milanese confectioners, its yeasted dough is similar to panettone but contains 20% more butter, giving it a richer crumb. Each year, over 2,000 Italian bakeries compete for the best colomba, with sales exceeding 100 million euros annually. The dove shape symbolizes peace and the Holy Spirit, reinforcing its cultural significance as a celebratory centerpiece.