Nannini's Top 6 Tuscan Desserts

Tasty and delicious

Tuscan desserts are a culinary tradition that characterizes Tuscan cuisine. They're often little known to outsiders and overshadowed by the more famous cantuccini or tarallucci. But regional cuisine has much to offer in the sweets and pastries sector.

Delicious, made with local ingredients, and mouth-wateringly delicious. Tuscan desserts rival those of other culinary traditions. From panpepato to zuccotto, from schiacciata con l'uva to schiacciata fiorentina, the selection is vast and just waiting to be savored.

Let's go and see what are the 6 best Tuscan desserts according to us at Nannini .

Typical Tuscan sweets

Gingerbread

A typical dessert from Siena, it's a delicacy with ancient origins. Its first documented appearance dates back to 1206, but it likely existed as early as the previous century. It was considered a prized dessert because it contained pepper, an extremely expensive spice at the time and considered an aphrodisiac. Panpepato is a fragrant dessert that owes its intense flavor to its mixture of various spices, pepper, dried fruit, cocoa, and candied fruit . The artisanal preparation also lends it its traditional flavor.

Panforte

This one also comes from our beloved city of the Palio. Panforte is made with simple ingredients, as per tradition, such as almonds , candied fruit, and sugar . Everything is patiently boiled to create the dough, and once cooled, it is worked exclusively by hand to obtain the typical round shape. The most traditional and well-known version is the white one, known as "Margherita." This variation of panforte appears to have originated in 1887 during a visit to Siena by Queen Margherita and King Umberto of Savoy.

Chestnut cake

A typical Tuscan dessert made with chestnut flour , enriched with walnuts and pine nuts , raisins, and rosemary . It was once considered a poor man's dessert because chestnut flour was readily available in the countryside. Now, however, it is considered a refined and tasty dessert.

Schiacciata with grapes

Wine time also means grape schiacciata time. This typical Tuscan dessert, originating from rural tradition, is simple and not overly sweet. The main ingredient in this delicacy is grapes, which release their sweet flavor with every bite. It requires a long cooking time and is suitable for any meal.

Tuscan Zuccotto

Also known as Florentine zuccotto , it has noble origins. In fact, this dessert was invented by Bernardo Buontalenti, the inventor of ice cream, commissioned by the then Queen of France, Catherine de' Medici, granddaughter of Lorenzo the Magnificent. It seems that this dessert was called Catherine's Helmet because it was made inside the helmet used at the time: the zuccotto. This could be where its name comes from. A typical Tuscan dessert characterized by genuine ingredients: sponge cake , ricotta , cream, and cocoa .

Florentine smash

A cake of Florentine origin, as its name suggests, it is uniquely soft . Typical of the Carnival period, it is perfect for a snack, breakfast, or after meals accompanied by a glass of Vin Santo. A simple and fluffy dessert, it is characterized by a dusting of powdered sugar and the Florentine lily symbol.

While we wait to enjoy pandoro and panettone during the Christmas season, let's indulge in one of these Tuscan desserts to savor the true flavor of Tuscany. Alone or with friends, these delicacies are just waiting to be savored, perhaps paired with a glass of vin santo .