A sweet treat to take back home with you for the holidays!
By Caitlin Miller, Senior BA student
Panettone is an Italian Christmas specialty and is extremely easy to find in Florence at many of the markets and bakeries around the city. It is a light and fluffy bread considered a dessert because of how sweet it is. Usually consisting of candied fruits and raisins, but the chocolate, hazelnuts, and almonds are also becoming popular. There are many different legends about how Panettone came to be, and it is thought to have been around since the 13th century. Here is a story about The Legend of Italian Panettone Cake.
Pandoro is another Italian sweet bread, originating in Verona! It is similar in shape to Panettone. Pandoro was officially cited as a dessert in the 18th century, reserved for the rich and noble. Fluffier than Panettone, its powdered exterior is sure to spread holiday cheer! They’re a quite popular treat in Italy, be sure to check out your neighborhood bakery!
Panforte is another typical Italian dessert! It consists of fruits and nuts and dates back to at least the 13th century, within Tuscany. Panforte means “strong bread,” referring to the spices and pepper flavors used. It’s also called Panpepato because of the pepper! You can find these yummy treats at Mignone near Piazza della Repubblica, or try out Il Cantuccio di San Lorenzo!
Cavallucci or “little horses” are little biscuits made with flour, honey, and sugar. They were originally imprinted with the image of a horse. There are many interesting stories that speculate about how they got their name. One legend states that these cookies were given to travelers on horseback. Another believes that they were given to the workers in horse stables of the wealthy aristocrats in Siena. Which, by the way, is a city known for their Palio horse races! Regardless of where it got its name, these are delicious treats you should give a try!
Here are some more Italian sweets to take home! Ricciarelli originates from 14th century Siena. They’re dense, chewy, and made with almonds, giving them a wonderful taste. It is unknown who invented this recipe, but there is a popular legend that says they were named after Sienese nobleman Ricciardetto Della Gherardesca, who returned from the Crusades with similar shaped Arab sweets! They pair well with dessert wines and can be found at many bakeries across the city.
Here are a list of places you can find these Italian Christmas sweets:
Enjoy your Italian sweet treats!
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This blog really make me miss Italy,I lived there for 4 years and I’m waiting for a comeback.