In the heart of Tuscany, nestled amidst rolling hills and vineyards, a culinary treasure awaits: Panforte di Siena, a delectable cake that embodies the essence of Italian craftsmanship and indulgence. With its origins dating back centuries, this iconic delight is a symphony of flavors and textures, a harmonious blend of dried fruits, nuts, honey, and spices, encased in a tender embrace of flour and cocoa. Join us on a culinary journey as we explore the secrets behind this treasured Tuscan delicacy, unraveling the intricacies of its preparation and presenting a collection of recipes that capture the authentic spirit of Panforte di Siena. From the traditional recipe passed down through generations to innovative interpretations with a modern twist, these recipes offer a taste of Siena's rich culinary heritage, promising an unforgettable gastronomic experience. Immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of flavors and indulge in the timeless allure of Panforte di Siena.
Let's cook with our recipes!
HOMEMADE PANFORTE
Panforte a delicious Italian fruit cake from Siena, made with honey, nuts and candied fruit. The perfect Christmas cake to share with friends and family.
Provided by Rosemary Molloy
Categories Dessert
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Pre-heat oven to 300F (150C). Grease and flour parchment paper to fit an 8 inch (20cm) cake pan.
- In a large bowl stir together the nuts and candied fruit. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour and spices. Set aside.
- In a small pot stir together the honey, water and sugar, heat on medium heat stirring until mixture starts to boil, lower the heat to slow boil for about 2-3 minutes or until the sugar is completely dissolved. (There will be no gritty bits on the spoon when you are stirring).
- Add the honey mixture to the nut mixture and stir to combine. Add the flour mixture and quickly combine well. (This is where using your slightly wet hands would probably be best).
- Place the mixture into the prepared cake pan and with wet hands or the bottom of a wet metal spoon flatten the batter so it is even. Dust the top of the batter with a tablespoon of icing sugar before baking. Bake for about 35-40 minutes.
- Let the cake cool for about 10-15 minutes, then run a wet knife around the outside of the cake and remove. Place on a cake stand or plate and let cool completely before dusting with icing sugar. Slice with a sharp knife and serve. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 196 kcal, Carbohydrate 36 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 5 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 11 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 25 g, ServingSize 1 serving
PANFORTE DI SIENA RECIPE
Packed with dried fruit and nuts, this Tuscan specialty makes an energizing, healthy breakfast.
Provided by Carrie Vasios Mullins
Categories Breakfast Sweets Desserts
Time 1h
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300°F. Line cake pan with parchment paper. Grease parchment paper and sides of cake pan liberally with butter or cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, coriander and cocoa powder. Stir in hazelnuts, almonds, zest and figs until combined.
- In a medium saucepan, combine honey and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a boil. Let mixture boil for 15 seconds then immediately pour over dry ingredients and stir until combined.
- Pour mixture into prepared cake pan and smooth top. Bake until batter is bubbling, about 45 minutes.
- Let Panforte cool completely then remove from pan. Dust top of cake with confectioners' sugar, if desired. Panforte will stay fresh, wrapped in plastic wrap, for months.
TRADITIONAL SIENA FRUITCAKE (PANFORTE)
Provided by Florence Fabricant
Categories dessert
Time 1h30m
Yield 1 panforte
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Toast hazelnuts on a baking sheet in the oven until the skins pop and blister, 10 to 15 minutes. Rub the skins from the hazelnuts in a kitchen towel. Toast the almonds on a baking sheet until very pale golden, about 10 to 15 minutes. Chop the almonds and hazelnuts very coarsely.
- Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees.
- Mix the nuts, orange peel, citron, lemon zest, flour, cinnamon, coriander, cloves, nutmeg and pepper together thoroughly in a large mixing bowl.
- Butter a nine-inch springform pan, line the bottom and sides with parchment paper and then butter the paper.
- Heat the granulated sugar, honey and butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until the syrup registers 242 to 248 degrees on a candy thermometer (a little of the mixture will form a ball when dropped into cold water). Immediately pour the syrup into the mixture and stir quickly until thoroughly blended. Pour immediately into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. The batter will become stiff and sticky very quickly so you must work fast.
- Bake about 40 minutes. The panforte won't color or seem very firm even when ready but it will harden as it cools. Cool on a rack until the cake is firm to the touch.
- Remove the sides of the pan and invert the cake onto a sheet of waxed paper. Peel off the parchment paper. Dust heavily with confectioners' sugar.
PANFORTE DI SIENA - TRADITIONAL TUSCAN HONEY / NUT CAKE
Well this is famous Italian honey and nut cake from Tuscany. It is a Christmas specialty but these days it is eaten year round and is fantastic with a good cup of coffee! In Italy this Panfote is sold in pretty boxes and served in VERY thin slices. From the book: "The Complete Book of Italian Cooking".
Provided by Um Safia
Categories Dessert
Time 1h20m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Toast the almonds under the grill / broiler until lightly browned; place in a bowl.
- Toast the hazelnuts until the skins split. Place on a dry tea towel and rub off the skins.
- Roughly chop the hazelnuts and add to the almonds with the mixed peel.
- Chop the apricots and pineapple fairly finely, add to the nuts with the orange rind; mix well.
- Sift the flour with the cocoa and cinnamon, add to the nut mixture and mix evenly.
- Line a round 8" cake tin or deep loose base flan tin with baking parchment.
- Put the sugar and honey into a saucepan; heat until the sugar dissolves, then boil gently for approximately 5 minutes or until mixture thickens & begins to turn a deeper shade of brown.
- Quickly add to the nut mixture and mix evenly. turn into the prepared tin & level the top using the back of a damp metal spoon.
- Cook in a preheated oven, 150°°C / 300F for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and leave in the tin until cold. Remove from the tin and carefully peel off the paper.
- Before serving, dredge the cake heavily with the icing sugar. Serve in very thin slices as this is an incredibly rich cake!
Tips for Making Panforte di Siena:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. - If you can't find candied fruit, you can make your own by simmering your favorite fruits in a sugar syrup. - For a chewier texture, use more honey and less sugar. - If you don't have a panforte mold, you can use a 9-inch springform pan. - Be careful not to overcook the panforte, or it will become dry and crumbly. - Let the panforte cool completely before slicing and serving.Conclusion:
Panforte di Siena is a delicious and festive Italian cake that is perfect for the holidays. With its unique flavor and chewy texture, it is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a special treat, give this traditional recipe a try!
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