PABASSINAS Sardinian sweets with almonds and raisins simple and very good! Papassinas, pabassinas, or papassine, spiced cookies with sapa quickly made with almonds, walnuts, and raisins, covered with glaze and colorful sprinkles.
If there’s a sweet that instantly brings celebrations and home memories to mind, it’s the Pabassinas, the Sardinian Christmas sweets with almonds and raisins, also made for All Saints’ Day, Christmas, Easter, and even weddings.
In Sardinia, everyone knows them: papassinas, pabassinas, or papassine, the name changes depending on the area, but the essence remains the same. The name comes from “papassa,” which in Sardinian means raisin, the symbolic ingredient of these fragrant glazed cookies.
I’ll tell you something: pabassinas are my favorite Sardinian sweet, the ones I eagerly await when the holidays come around. The recipe I use was my grandmother’s, who made them by hand without ever making a mistake. However, I added a small personal touch: I included sapa, the cooked grape must typical of Sardinia that gives the sweet 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 with a white glaze and hand-decorated, are much more than a sweet: they are tradition, memory, and sharing. Every bite tells a story, a family meal, a village festival.
Follow me in the kitchen today; there are Sardinian sweet pabassinas.
Published
December 21, 2012, 9:00
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very economical
- 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
- 3/4 cup lard (or margarine)
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup 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
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- Half lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- sparkling sugar
Steps
Coarsely chop the almonds and walnuts.
Place the eggs and sugar in a mixer or bowl and mix until light and frothy, then add the raisins and nuts.
Add the flour gradually, then add all other ingredients and lastly the baking powder.
Turn the dough onto a floured board and knead it until it is soft and firm.
Roll out the dough with a floured rolling pin, then cut it into diamond shapes with a cutter or knife.
Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 18/20 minutes at 338°F (170°C).
Place the egg white, powdered sugar, honey, and, if needed, lemon juice in a food processor.
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 Sardinian sweet pabassinas are perfect for gifting as well: packed in a transparent bag, they immediately become a sweet and heartfelt gift.
You can vary them with hazelnuts instead of almonds, but the traditional version with almonds remains the most authentic.
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FAQ PABASSINAS Sardinian Christmas Sweets with Almonds and Raisins
What does pabassinas mean?
The name comes from “papassa,” which in Sardinian means raisin.
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 the pabassinas dairy-free sweets?
Yes, they are dairy-free sweets, perfect even for those who are lactose intolerant if using lard.
Can I prepare them in advance?
Of course! In fact, the next day they are even better as the flavors meld more.
