PABASSINAS Sardinian sweets with almonds and raisins simple and very good! Papassinas, pabassinas or papassine, spiced cookies with sapa that are quick to prepare, made with almonds, walnuts, and raisins, covered with glaze and colorful sprinkles.
If there’s a dessert that immediately brings a festive feeling and memories of home, it’s the Pabassinas, traditional Sardinian Christmas sweets with almonds and raisins, also prepared for All Saints’ Day, Christmas, Easter, and even weddings.
In Sardinia, everyone knows them: papassinas, pabassinas or papassine, the name changes depending on the region but the essence remains the same. The term comes from “papassa,” which in Sardinian means raisins, the symbolic ingredient of these fragrant glazed cookies.
I must confess something: pabassinas are my favorite Sardinian dessert, the ones I eagerly await when the holidays approach. The recipe I use was my grandmother’s, who made them by hand without ever making a mistake. However, I added a little personal touch: I included sapa, the typical Sardinian cooked must that gives the dessert an even more intense and enveloping aroma and flavor. I assure you it makes a difference!
These Sardinian cookies with almonds, walnuts, and raisins, covered in white glaze and hand-decorated, are much more than a dessert: they are tradition, memory, and sharing. Every bite tells a story, a family lunch, a village festival.
Follow me in the kitchen today, there are pabassinas Sardinian sweets.
Published
December 21, 2012 9:00
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very cheap
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Cooking time: 10 Minutes
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 cup almonds
- 1.5 cups raisins
- 6 oz lard (or margarine)
- 2 eggs
- 6 oz sugar
- 1 packet baking powder
- 5 tablespoons cooked wine (sapa)
- 1 packet spices (saporita or pisto)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon candied orange
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 packet vanillin
- 2 egg whites
- 12 oz powdered sugar
- Half lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- colored sugars
Steps
Roughly chop the almonds and the walnuts.
Place the eggs and sugar in a mixer or a bowl and mix until light and fluffy, then add the raisins and nuts.
Gradually add the flour, then combine all the other ingredients and lastly the baking powder.
Pour the dough onto a work surface and knead until soft and firm.
Roll out the dough with a floured rolling pin, cut it with a rhombus-shaped cutter or a knife.
Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake for about 18/20 minutes at 340°F
In a food processor, combine the egg white, powdered sugar, honey, and if necessary, add some lemon juice.
Glaze the sweets and decorate with colored sprinkles.
Bon appetit
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PABASSINAS Sardinian Christmas Sweets with Almonds and Raisins
Extra tips
You can skip the sapa, but trust me, that slightly caramelized note makes them unforgettable.
The PABASSINAS Sardinian sweets are also perfect for gifting: packed in a transparent bag, they become a delicious and heartfelt gift.
You can vary them with hazelnuts instead of almonds, but the traditional almond version remains the most authentic.
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FAQ PABASSINAS Sardinian Christmas Sweets with Almonds and Raisins
What does pabassinas mean?
The name derives from “papassa,” which in Sardinian means raisins.
When are pabassinas prepared?
Traditionally in November for All Saints’ Day, but also at Christmas, Easter, and weddings.
What are the typical ingredients of pabassinas?
Almonds, walnuts, raisins, spices, white glaze, and in my version, a touch of sapa.
Are pabassinas dairy-free sweets?
Yes, they are milk-free desserts, perfect for those who are lactose intolerant if using lard.
Can they be prepared in advance?
Absolutely! In fact, they taste even better the next day because the flavors meld together better.
