The panpepato or panpapato is a traditional Christmas dessert from central-northern Italy, with both Ferrara and Umbria claiming its origin. It has ancient roots, with tradition dating it back to the 15th century, and it is called so because it’s rich in spices. There are many passed-down ways to prepare it, making it a popular dessert that triumphs on the tables of the towns in Terni even up to Easter. Tradition, in fact, dictates that at least one panpepato is kept until the Resurrection festival. Every family has its own recipe with appropriate variations, but the basic ingredients are always the same.
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Rest time: 6 Hours
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter, Christmas
Ingredients
- 5.3 oz walnuts
- 5.3 oz hazelnuts
- 5.3 oz almonds
- 5.3 oz raisins
- 5.3 oz candied orange
- 3.5 oz candied citron
- 3.5 oz honey
- 7 oz dark chocolate
- 3.5 oz flour
- 5.3 oz sugar
- 3.5 oz unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tbsps must (cooked)
Tools
- 2 Baking Sheets
- 2 Bowls
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Knife
Steps
Toast the nuts in the oven, remove their skins, and coarsely chop them.
Melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave.
Soak the raisins for 10 minutes in warm water.
Drain and rinse them under running water.
Dry the raisins with a kitchen towel.
Then, in a bowl, combine the nuts, candied fruits, raisins, and honey.
Add the sieved flour, cocoa, and spices.
Mix the ingredients well.
Form apple-sized loaves and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let them rest covered with a cotton cloth in a cool place for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
Bake in a preheated static oven at 338°F for about 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Wrap in parchment paper and then in aluminum foil.
Tips
They can be stored in a cool place for up to 1 month.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can the must be replaced?
Yes, the must can be replaced with the same amount of black coffee.
Can I change the amount of pepper?
The uniqueness of this dessert is precisely the pepper, but despite this, it can be adjusted to taste.
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