In the heart of Padua, every June 13th, the city bursts into celebration to honor Saint Anthony, one of the most beloved saints in Italy and worldwide, protector of the oppressed and the poor, as well as children and families.
Among the most cherished traditions is preparing and savoring the Sweet of the Saint, 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 city’s poor on the day dedicated to the Saint. Thus, the Sweet of the Saint became not only a dessert to enjoy with family but also an act of charity and sharing, in the 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 SWEET OF THE SAINT cake of the Padua celebration of Saint Anthony, a recipe that speaks of history and dedication, perfect for preparing on the occasion of the June 13th celebration or to bring a piece of Venetian tradition to your table.
The Sweet of the Saint is one of the symbolic desserts of Padua, dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, one of the most beloved and venerated saints worldwide, attracting thousands of pilgrims every year to the Basilica dedicated to him, bringing with them not only prayers and devotion but also ancient culinary traditions.
The cake is characterized by a soft batter, scented with lemon zest and often filled with apricot jam, symbolizing sweetness and abundance.
On top, it is then decorated with sliced almonds, which in the past represented prosperity and good fortune and which I placed on the edges, only for them to be absorbed by the dough, oh dear!
Even today, in the pastry shops of Padua and in the markets that enliven the June 13th celebration, it is possible to find this simple and genuine dessert, reminiscent of home, devotion, and ancient customs.
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I love the traditions that have been passed down through time, from family ones that remind us of grandmothers and old recipe books glued and stained from many preparations to historical ones, linked to the history of Italy and its most famous characters… so here below I leave you 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
- 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 tbsps potato starch
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3.5 oz raisins
- 2.1 oz blanched almonds
- 4 tbsps apricot jam
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
Tools
- Stand Mixers
- Bowls
- Oil Sprayers
- Spatulas
Let’s prepare this cake for Saint Anthony of Padua
Beat the egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla for a long time to obtain a light and very soft mixture!
Meanwhile, melt the butter slowly in the microwave or in a double boiler.
Finely chop half of the almonds into a flour-like consistency while the other half is coarsely chopped with a knife.
Sift the flour with the potato starch.
Unroll the puff pastry and flatten it slightly with a rolling pin, then line a pan about 8-9 inches in diameter, keeping the provided paper.
Prick the bottom with a fork and then spread the apricot jam on the bottom.
Then add the almond flour, raisins, and coarsely chopped almonds.
Fold the almond slices into the soft and fluffy egg mixture, then gently incorporate the flour and potato starch using a spatula.
Place everything inside the puff pastry shell, folding the edges over the mixture, and add the sliced almonds.
Bake in static mode at 347°F, cooking for about 30-40 minutes depending on your oven’s characteristics.
Once cooked, let it cool and before serving, dust the Sweet of the Saint for June 13th with powdered sugar.
SOURCE https://www.lamaggioranapersa.com/
Storage
The Sweet of the Saint can be stored for 2 days at room temperature, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
