Foodies flock to Tuscany year in, year out to enjoy her hearty and tasty cuisine. With roots in peasant cooking, it is a cuisine that makes the most of local ingredients to create something filling and comforting. It is mostly pasta, pizza and other savoury delights, however, that people are most familiar with and are most keen to enjoy. Tuscany's desserts are less well-loved and well-known internationally but, despite this, there are plenty of delicious treats that you should try while holidaying in the region. We have rounded up some of the best cakes that can be found in Tuscany so you can track them down after you've finished with the main courses.
1. Schiacciata alla Fiorentina
One particularly tasty example is Schiacciata alla Fiorentina. This is a very traditional Florentine cake which can be found in local pasticceria (pastry shops) all over the city.
1. Schiacciata alla Fiorentina
One particularly tasty example is Schiacciata alla Fiorentina. This is a very traditional Florentine cake which can be found in local pasticceria (pastry shops) all over the city.
Originally a dish traditionally served at Easter it can be enjoyed all year round today. Not unlike a sponge cake but with orange zest and the option of adding a wide variety of fillings such as ricotta and cream, it can be served for a light snack in the afternoon, for breakfast or as a dessert. Just find a luxury villa in Florence and try this delicious treat for yourself.
2. Panforte
Panforte is one of many sweet treats that comes from Siena, which could be said to be the centre of desserts, pastries and sweets in Tuscany. Not unlike a fruit cake, it is made with nuts, fruit, spices, honey and sugar and is often associated with Christmas though, as with the Schiacciata alla Fiorentina, it is now often served throughout the year and is readily available in shops and bakeries around town.
2. Panforte
Panforte is one of many sweet treats that comes from Siena, which could be said to be the centre of desserts, pastries and sweets in Tuscany. Not unlike a fruit cake, it is made with nuts, fruit, spices, honey and sugar and is often associated with Christmas though, as with the Schiacciata alla Fiorentina, it is now often served throughout the year and is readily available in shops and bakeries around town.
Once you've found a luxury villa in Siena, it will be easy as pie (or should that be cake?) to get your hands on some.
3. Buccellato
Buccellato from Lucca is the representative cake of the city and is a simple but very tasty treat. Looking akin to a little bread loaf, it has a golden brown exterior that is appealing and shiny from its surface being brushed with sugar and eggs before baking, and can be shaped like a donut or oval. Inside, it is soft and fluffy, made of a sweet pastry with lots raisins and aniseed and is sold fresh daily all over the city. Just find a villa with internet in Lucca and pick up some fresh and fragrant cakes while they are still warm in the morning, as you head out for a day of exploring the city.
Read on to our next article for more Tuscan cakes you won't want to miss out on during your next vacation!
3. Buccellato
Buccellato from Lucca is the representative cake of the city and is a simple but very tasty treat. Looking akin to a little bread loaf, it has a golden brown exterior that is appealing and shiny from its surface being brushed with sugar and eggs before baking, and can be shaped like a donut or oval. Inside, it is soft and fluffy, made of a sweet pastry with lots raisins and aniseed and is sold fresh daily all over the city. Just find a villa with internet in Lucca and pick up some fresh and fragrant cakes while they are still warm in the morning, as you head out for a day of exploring the city.
Read on to our next article for more Tuscan cakes you won't want to miss out on during your next vacation!
Photo credits
picture 1: Kent Wang / CC BY-SA 2.0;
picture 2: Jules / CC BY 2.0;
picture 3: Sunsetwiki / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Kent Wang / CC BY-SA 2.0;
picture 2: Jules / CC BY 2.0;
picture 3: Sunsetwiki / CC BY-SA 3.0
