Korovai: Ukrainian Wedding Bread

   When Laura got married four years ago, I couldn't find anyone in Vancouver to make a korovai for her.  Luckily, while I was in New York that year, the Ukrainian Museum was holding a workshop on how to make these braided breads.  The teachers, Larysa Zielyk and Lubow Wolynetz, told stories and explained traditions as the class created their own korovai.  I came home with pictures, recipes, lore and the memories of an excellent workshop.

   This year I am making three korovai.  It has taken a bit of experimentation to get the dough for the bread and decorations just right.   I am lucky to have Roma,  my korovai expert friend in Saskatchewan, who answers all sorts of questions I have and sends me photos to inspire me.
   I googled endlessly to find out why my bread was cracking on top and ruining my beautiful braids.  But finally, I have my favourite reliable recipes and am ready to compile all the information. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures. . .

The doves symbolize love, faithfulness, family and friends.

The korovai symbolizes community and the circle of life.


Traditionally, an odd number of women were invited to the bride’s home to bake the korovai. Usually the number was 7. Before they began, they might each have a sip of vodka. Known as korovainytsi, these happily married women were to think only positive thoughts during the kneading of the bread. They could not harbour evil thoughts or speak badly of others.

Here they are, ready to go with no decorations but lots of pretty braids.

Each woman brought the ingredients necessary to make the bread and sang ritual songs that guided them through the baking steps. The songs also provided the magical formula for korovai:


Water from seven wells,
Wheat from seven fields,
Flour from seven mills,
Eggs from seven white hens,
Butter churned from the mild of seven cows,
Which was placed in seven bowls in seven houses.

This is a simple one with only a garland of barvinok (periwinkle).

The korovai must be round (shape of the sun) and girded with a braided band symbolizing eternity and an unbreakable bond. The top is decorated with symbolic figures made of dough.

a closeup

Shyshky (pine cones) symbolize fertility.
Birds or doves are for love and faithfulness, family and friends.


The entire arrangement is surrounded by a wreath of barvinok (periwinkle) symbolizing love and purity.


The korovai sits on a rushnyk (embroidered ritual cloth). 

The two doves at the side are made of decorative dough and meant to be saved.
I make my bread to be eaten (it's delicious) but some people, dry theirs and save it.

Laura's korovai- the first I ever made.