panforte

Here is my recipe to make Panforte, the typical cake of
Siena rich in candied fruit
and dried fruit with a rustic and authentic
flavor. A unique and unmistakable Christmas cake!

Panforte di Siena

sugar

120 g wildflower honey

flour

almonds

hazelnuts

g walnuts

candied fruit

figs

cinnamon

cilantro

clove

g black pepper

g cocoa powder

rice paper

First of all, heat the oven to 180C° (356F°) or...

First of all, heat the oven to 180C° (356F°)  or to 160C° (320F°) if ventilated. 

Line a 24 cm round cake pan with the rice paper.   

Now let's prepare the dried fruit.

As soon as the oven is hot, roast almonds, walnuts, and...

As soon as the oven is hot, roast almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts on a baking sheet for 5 minutes. Let them cool, then chop them roughly.     

Grind all the spices with a mortar until...

Grind all the spices with a mortar until they are reduced to a powder. In a large boule l and add the flour, cocoa, and spices chopped. 

Incorporate then the toasted nuts, the candied fruit and the remainder selected dried...

Incorporate then the toasted nuts, the candied fruit and the remainder selected dried fruit.  

Separately, put a saucepan on the stove with honey and sugar. Cook over medium...

Separately, put a saucepan on the stove with honey and sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring for about 7/8 minutes or until you get a syrup.

Pour the syrup into the bo u l and with the other ingredients.

Mix and mix well the mixture and ingredients, using a wooden spoon!

When the mixture is homogeneous take the pan...

When the mixture is homogeneous take the pan that you lined at the beginning with the rice paper.

Pour the previously made mixture into the pan and, if...

Pour the previously made mixture into the pan and, if necessary, use your moistened fingers to press and compact everything to prevent holes from forming.

Cover everything with a couple of tablespoons of...

Cover everything with a couple of tablespoons of sugar and flour.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes.  

As soon as this time has elapsed, take...

As soon as this time has elapsed, take out and sprinkle with plenty of icing sugar.

Let the cake cool completely before serving.

Panforte is a traditional Italian dessert made with fruits, nuts and spices - somewhere between a fruitcake and a candy!

Vegan Panforte

280 g / 1 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit

tbsp cacao powder

tsp ground mixed spice

brown sugar, (or coconut sugar)

olive oil

120 ml / 1/2 cup boiled water

Icing sugar, (confectioners sugar)

Preheat oven to 170 degrees C. Oil the...

Preheat oven to 170 degrees C. Oil the sides and line the base of a 30cm spring-form tin with non-stick paper.

Mix the nuts, fruit, peel, cacao powder, spices...

Mix the nuts, fruit, peel, cacao powder, spices and ﬂour in a large bowl.

In a small saucepan, add the maple syrup,...

In a small saucepan, add the maple syrup, brown sugar and olive oil. Mix on a medium heat until the sugar has been dissolved. Stir in the hot water.

Stir the wet into the dry and mix...

Stir the wet into the dry and mix until everything is well combined.

Transfer the mixture to the baking tin and...

Transfer the mixture to the baking tin and press down evenly with a spoon or wet hands.

Bake for 25 minutes or until you can...

Bake for 25 minutes or until you can see the sides of the cake start to bubble slightly.

Leave to cool in the tin for 10...

Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before removing and allowing to cool completely.

Dust with icing sugar and serve.

Panforte di Siena is a traditional Italian recipe made with dried fruit, nuts, and spices. This is the classic Italian Christmas cake!

Panforte

almonds ((143 grams))

hazelnuts, roasted and skinned ((130 grams))

figs ((125 grams))

candied mix peel (orange peel) ((117 grams))

apricots ((105 grams))

all purpose flour ((90 grams))

cocoa powder ((12 grams))

nutmeg

cloves

salt

honey ((230 grams))

sugar ((150 grams))

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper; set aside.

Spread the almonds and hazelnuts on a baking sheet. Roast on center baking rack in oven for 8-10 minutes, or until just fragrant; set aside.

In a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, combine the figs, candied mixed peel, and apricots. Pulse the mixture just until finely diced. Pour the fruit into a large mixing bowl.

Toss the diced fruit with the flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and kosher salt until evenly combined. Add in the roasted nuts and toss.

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the honey and sugar. Cook over medium high heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture starts to bubble (around 245 degrees). Quickly pour the sugar mixture into the bowl along with the fruit and nuts and use a greased spatula to combine.

Pour the panforte batter into the prepared springform pan. Bake on the center rack in oven for 30 minutes. Remove and let cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Then, run a knife along the inside edge of the pan to loosen the cake from sides of the pan. Remove the collar and let the cake cool completely.

Dust the top of the cooled panforte with powdered sugar. Cut into small wedges and serve.

Christmas 2024. Yes! I made this recipe for Christmas during my annual cookie baking. We visited Italy for 22 days in late spring/early summer and when we were in Siena, we sampled this speciality at Pasticceria Nannini, which is the oldest bakery in Siena. It was delicious there, and this recipe pretty much duplicated it. I almost simmered my sugar/honey mixture too much; be careful or your panforte will be too stiff and hard to cut. I recommend this recipe, and I'll be making it again. Try it. You will be hooked!

One of the best things I’ve ever eaten! Merry Christmas 🎄

Growing up in an Italian family this panaforte really brings back memories. The combination of nuts, dried fruits, and spices is irresistible. Perfect for Christmas or any time!

OMG, this sounds amazing! I love all the sweet flavors and all those nuts! Yummo!

We had this recipe for last night and they were amazing! Already can't wait to make them again!

This panforte is full of so many wonderful flavors and textures. It's a true classic Holiday treat.

Oh yum! This Panforte di Siena looks incredible with such a fantastic texture. Definitely the perfect way to celebrate the holidays.

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