The Diplomatic pastries are treats that boast a long tradition in Italy, loved for their combination of textures and flavors. Their exact origin is debated between Sicily and Campania, but what is certain is that they have spread throughout the peninsula and today they are a true classic of pastry.
Distinctive Features
Layers: The Diplomat is characterized by alternating layers of puff pastry, soaked sponge cake (often with alchermes), and diplomatic cream.
Cream: The diplomatic cream is the heart of the pastry. It is made by whipping fresh cream and adding pastry cream, sometimes flavored. This combination gives the cream a light and fluffy texture, and a delicate and sweet flavor.
Form: Usually, the Diplomat is presented as a small mignon pastry, but it can also be prepared as a cake version, ideal for special occasions.
Why is it called “Diplomat”?
The origin of the name “diplomat” is not entirely clear. It is hypothesized that it may be linked to its elegance and sophistication, characteristics associated with the figure of a diplomat.
In conclusion, the Diplomatic pastry is a dessert that combines tradition and taste, capable of winning over both young and old. If you have the opportunity to taste it in a pastry shop, don’t miss it!
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- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 20 diplomats
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
- Energy 283.46 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 27.08 (g) of which sugars 12.62 (g)
- Proteins 5.42 (g)
- Fat 17.14 (g) of which saturated 2.95 (g)of which unsaturated 8.11 (g)
- Fibers 0.58 (g)
- Sodium 68.31 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 40 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 1 sponge cake (rectangular pan 10 x 8 inches)
- 2 sheets puff pastry (rectangular 10 x 8 inches)
- as needed powdered sugar
- as needed alchermes
- 7 g gelatin sheets
- 400 ml whole milk
- 80 g egg yolks (6)
- 40 g cornstarch
- 80 g sugar
- 1 pod vanilla
- 1 knob butter
- 300 g fresh whipping cream
Tools
- 1 Mold for sponge cake
- 1 Knife
Steps
Start preparing the sponge cake by placing the eggs and sugar in a stand mixer, or if you prefer, using an electric mixer in a bowl.
Work the mixture for about 10 minutes until it triples in volume. Only then, by hand with a spatula, fold in the sifted flours.
Pour the mixture into the rectangular pan measuring 10×8 inches
Level well to distribute the mixture and bake in a static oven at 350°F for 40 minutes
Remove the silicone mat or if you used baking paper at the base to bake it. Let it cool.
Now bake the two sheets of puff pastry at 400°F for 20 minutes, after pricking them with a fork and sprinkling with powdered sugar
Now prepare the diplomatic cream. In a saucepan, heat the milk and the vanilla bean seeds.
Add the lemon peel.
Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the sugar with the egg yolks
and stir quickly.
Add the cornstarch
Pour in the hot filtered milk to remove the lemon peel and seeds
place the saucepan back on the heat and stir continuously.
When the cream is ready, turn off the heat and add the gelatin sheets that were previously soaked in cold water.
Pour into a bowl and add the knob of butter. Let it cool in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap on the surface.
Whip the cream but not too much
When the cream is cold, add the whipped cream.
At this point, assemble the dessert by starting to place the puff pastry at the base and the cream well distributed.
Place the sponge cake on top
Moisten with alchermes
Again the diplomatic cream
Finish with the other puff pastry.
Cut into small squares of the size you prefer
Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve the diplomatic pastries like in a pastry shop
