llessandro Nannini's dessert shop in Florence is one of my favorite places to try this specialty. His products are brought in daily from the shop in Siena where panforte is celebrated. Nannini's coffee is also Divine!
Here's my recipe. (Nannini's is top secret!)
1 pound unskinned mixed toasted nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts)
2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice mix (the Sienese recipe for the spice mixture has a
mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and coriander)
1 teaspoon finely ground pepper
1 tablespoon bittersweet cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
One-half cup honey
1 pound mixed dried fruits, figs, apricots, candied orange peel, or prunes (I've even found candied melon!)
1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Mix the fruit and nuts together and toss with the flour, spice mixture, and
cocoa powder. Heat the sugar and honey together until boiling. Let boil for 1 minute. Take off the heat and stir in the dried fruit mixture.
Prepare a 9-12 inch round baking pan. Line with parchment paper.
Pour mixture into pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
Let cool. Dust with powdered sugar.
Serve in tiny slices with a glass of sweet dessert wine or a good cup of
coffee.
You can also make a more flavorful topping by combining the same spice
mixture and cocoa powder with the powdered sugar for the dusting.
Serves 12.
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