Panforte

A classic Christmas dessert!  Panforte can be described as an Italian fruit cake, with dried fruits, almonds and hazelnuts. Great to have around for holiday gatherings!

It’s now less than two months before Christmas.  If you are like me, boxes containing holiday decorations are now in the living room, waiting to be arranged.  Fingers crossed I will get it done this week. 🙂 Along with holiday decorations, I started making holiday desserts as well – this, I kicked-off without any delay!

Panforte is one of my go-to holiday treats. It is so easy to make and simply ‘tastes like Christmas’. 🙂 It’s known to have originated in Siena, Tuscany.  However, nowadays, you see it in almost every region in Italy, especially during the holidays.  While this recipe does not follow the traditional ingredients per se, I have opted to use the two most common types of nuts that are used in making panforte (regardless of the Italian region).

How to Make Panforte

You can skip blanching the almonds if you want, but roasting them makes a difference in the over-all flavor.  I’ve tried some panforte with both candied lemon and orange peel. But personally, I prefer to just use candied orange peel and replace the lemon peel with dried figs. I even tried adding dried apricots initially.  The result was ok, but I think the result was way better when I replace the dried apricots with semi-sweet chocolate chips (of course!).

As for the spices used, I know some people add pepper in it.  Tried that – did not like it. Somehow it makes me feel like eating fruit cake and ginger snaps at the same time (sorry, that’s the closest description I can think of 🙂 ). Feel free to add it though, you might like it.

Also, when you pour the sugar mixture on the flour mixture, make sure it is still warm.  This helps in melting the chocolate chips as you mix them all together.

We love pairing panforte with sweet wine, after a meal – and with coffee for breakfast.  Do not hesitate to try it with your favorite drink, though! 🙂

Print

Panforte

Prep Time

25 mins

Cook Time

35 mins

Total Time

1 hr

 

A traditional holiday dessert! Panforte is commonly known as spicy Italian fruit cake that contains a mix of dried fruits and nuts! Recipe VIDEO below.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• 2 cups whole almonds, blanched and toasted
• 2 & 1/2 cups whole hazelnuts, toasted
• 1/2 cup candied orange peel
• 3/4 cup dried figs, chopped
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips, semi-sweet
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• pinch clove powder
• pinch nutmeg
• pinch salt
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar (plus 2 tbsp for serving)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 cup cold water
• butter and flour, for greasing pan

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F). Grease and flour a 9-inch baking pan. Place a baking paper at the bottom of the pan.
2. Mix flour, clove powder, nutmeg, salt, almonds, hazelnuts, candied orange, dried figs and chocolate chips in a large bowl.
3. Combine honey and powdered sugar in a small pan. Put pan over medium-low heat and dissolve sugar. When it starts to boil, add a cup of cold water. Stir to combine water with the honey mixture. Remove pan from the heat.
4. Add sugar mixture to the flour mixture. Mix thoroughly.
5. Pour combined mixture on the greased pan. Press mixture to even it out. You can use your hands to do this.
6. Place pan in the oven for 30-35 minutes.
7. Set aside to cool.
8. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top. Slice. Serve.