Torta Paesana (Traditional Italian Bread Cake)
Category: Desserts
Serves: 6
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Stale bread | 300g |
| Whole milk | 1L |
| Eggs | 2 |
| Amaretti biscuits | 120g |
| Unsweetened cocoa powder | 50g |
| Sugar | 120g |
| Raisins | 70g |
| Pine nuts | 50g |
| Orange | 1 |
Instructions
-
Prepare the Milk Mixture:
Begin by gently heating the whole milk in a saucepan over low heat. You do not want it to boil, just warm enough to soften the stale bread later. -
-
Prepare the Bread:
While the milk is warming, take your stale bread (if you don’t have stale bread, you can toast a fresh loaf in the oven until it is dried out). Cut the bread into small cubes and place them in a large mixing bowl. -
Grate the Orange Zest:
Using a fine grater, zest one orange (be sure to use an untreated orange). Sprinkle the zest over the bread cubes, and stir the mixture gently to combine. -
Add Fresh Orange Juice:
Next, cut the orange in half and squeeze the juice directly into the bread mixture. Stir the ingredients together thoroughly. -
Soften the Bread:
Pour the warm milk over the bread, ensuring all the cubes are soaked. Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes to allow the bread to soften and absorb the milk. -
Mash the Bread Mixture:
Once the bread has softened, take a fork or spoon and mash it down further to break up any larger pieces. This will help create a smoother texture for the cake. -
Add the Other Ingredients:
To the mashed bread mixture, add the sugar, cocoa powder, raisins, pine nuts, and amaretti biscuits. The amaretti should be crushed lightly before adding to the mixture. Stir everything together thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated. -
Prepare the Baking Pan:
Grease a 24 cm round cake pan with butter and line the bottom with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. -
Bake the Cake:
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) for a static oven, or 160°C (320°F) for a fan-assisted oven. Bake the cake for about 60 minutes (or 50 minutes if using a fan oven). To check if the cake is done, insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean when the cake is fully baked. -
Cool the Cake:
Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes in the pan. Then, carefully remove it from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. -
Serve:
Once the cake has cooled, slice and serve. Torta Paesana is perfect for any occasion, offering a wonderful mix of flavors from the bread, cocoa, and orange, with a delightful crunch from the pine nuts and a hint of sweetness from the raisins and amaretti biscuits.
This Torta Paesana is a classic Italian dessert that brings together simple ingredients in a heartwarming way. It’s perfect for those who enjoy rustic desserts made from everyday staples, yet it’s also sophisticated enough to serve during special family gatherings. Enjoy the mix of textures and flavors that this traditional cake offers, and impress your guests with a slice of Italian culinary history!
