If there’s one Italian Christmas tradition that never fails to bring warmth and joy to any holiday gathering, it’s the delightfully dense and rich Panforte Fruit and Nut Cake from Siena. This traditional dessert, hailing from the charming city of Siena in Tuscany, is a treat for the senses with its heady blend of dried fruits, nuts, spices, and honey. Panforte is a true celebration of the holiday season, filled with the flavors and aromas that evoke the spirit of Christmas. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to immerse yourself in the festive world of Italian baking with this captivating recipe.
Panforte Dense Fruit and Nut Cake from Siena
Ingredients:
– 1 cup of whole almonds
– 1 cup of hazelnuts
– 1 cup of mixed dried fruits (such as raisins, dried cherries, apricots, and figs)
– 1 cup of all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
– 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
– 1/2 cup of honey
– 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
– Zest of 1 orange
– Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper, allowing some excess paper to overlap the edges for easy removal later on.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the almonds, hazelnuts, and mixed dried fruits. Toss them with 1/4 cup of the flour until the fruits and nuts are well coated.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together the remaining flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
4. In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the honey, sugar, and orange zest until the sugar has dissolved, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
5. Pour the honey mixture over the nuts and fruits in the large mixing bowl. Use a spatula to fold everything together until well combined.
6. Gradually add the sifted flour and spice mixture to the bowl, stirring gently to incorporate all the ingredients evenly. The mixture will be thick and sticky.
7. Transfer the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with the back of a spoon or spatula.
8. Bake the Panforte in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Remove the Panforte from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully lifting it out using the parchment paper edges. Place it on a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Once the Panforte has cooled, dust the top generously with powdered sugar for a snowy finish.
Enjoy this Panforte Dense Fruit and Nut Cake from Siena sliced into thin wedges and served with a cup of hot coffee or mulled wine. This indulgent holiday treat is perfect for sharing with loved ones or gifting to friends and family. Its irresistible combination of chewy fruits, crunchy nuts, and fragrant spices will have you savoring every bite and spreading the Christmas cheer with every delicious morsel. Make a batch of Panforte this holiday season and bring the magic of Italian baking traditions into your home!
