In the heart of Padua, every June 13, the city comes alive with celebrations for Saint Anthony, one of the most beloved saints in Italy and around the world, protector of the oppressed, the poor, children, and families.
Among the most cherished traditions is preparing and enjoying the Saint’s cake, a simple and fragrant cake that tells stories of faith and generosity.
This popular cake was also offered to the friars of the Basilica and the poor of the city on the day dedicated to the Saint. Thus, the Saint’s Cake became not only a dessert to enjoy with family but also an act of charity and sharing, in perfect Antonian spirit.
A soft cake, filled with apricot jam and decorated with almonds, a symbol of abundance and good fortune.
Today, on La cucina di ASI, I want to help you rediscover the SAINT’S CAKE Padua’s festival cake for Saint Anthony, a recipe that speaks of history and dedication, perfect to prepare on June 13 or to bring a piece of Venetian tradition to your table.
The Saint’s Cake is one of the symbolic sweets of Padua, dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, one of the most loved and revered saints in the world, attracting thousands of pilgrims each year to the Basilica dedicated to him, bringing with them not only their prayers and devotion but also ancient culinary traditions.
The cake is characterized by a soft dough, scented with lemon zest and often filled with apricot jam, a symbol of sweetness and abundance.
On the surface, it is decorated with sliced almonds, which in the past symbolized prosperity and good fortune and which I placed on the edges, only to have them disappear into the dough, oh dear!
Even today, in the pastry shops of Padua and in the markets that enliven the June 13 festival, it is possible to find this simple and genuine sweet that tastes of home, devotion, and ancient customs.
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I love traditions that are passed down over time, from family ones that remind us of grandmothers and old recipe notebooks stained from many preparations, to historical ones linked to Italy’s history and its most famous characters… so right below, I’ll share other “famous” preparations like:
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 25 Minutes
- Portions: 10 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 1 package puff pastry
- 4 eggs
- 6.35 oz sugar
- 5.3 oz all-purpose flour
- 1.76 oz potato starch
- 4.23 oz butter
- 3.53 oz raisins
- 2.12 oz peeled almonds
- 4 tablespoons apricot jam
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Tools
- Stand Mixers
- Mixing Bowls
- Oil Sprayers
- Spatulas
Let’s prepare this cake for the Saint of Padua
Beat egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla for a long time to achieve a light and very soft mixture!
Meanwhile, I slowly melt the butter in the microwave or using a bain-marie.
I finely grind half of the almonds to a fine meal while I coarsely chop the other half with a knife.
I sift the flour with the potato starch.
I unroll the puff pastry and slightly flatten it with a rolling pin, then line a baking dish of about 8–9 inches, keeping the paper provided.
I prick the base with a fork and then spread the apricot jam on the bottom.
Then I add the ground almonds, followed by the raisins and coarsely chopped almonds.
Into the soft and whipped egg mixture, I pour in the dry ingredients (flour and starch) and mix with a hand whisk or a rubber spatula.
I place everything inside the puff pastry shell, fold the edges over the batter, and add the almond slices.
I bake in a static oven at 347°F for about 30/40 minutes, depending on the characteristics of the home oven.
Once cooked, I let it cool and before serving, dust the Saint’s cake for June 13 with powdered sugar.
SOURCE https://www.lamaggioranapersa.com/
Storage
The Saint’s Cake can be stored for 2 days at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
