Chestnut cake
With the arrival of autumn and the chestnuts spilling onto the ground in the woods, it is definitely the right time to make a cake like this one: it’s the famous chestnut cake, made with chestnut flour, a specialty of the regions of Piedmont, Tuscany, Liguria, and Emilia Romagna. This cake is made with a mixture of chestnut flour, extra virgin olive oil, water, pine nuts and raisins; variations of the same cake suggest adding ingredients such as orange peel, rosemary, fennel seeds or nuts. To best enjoy your cake it’s best to serve it with a new wine or with a sweet wine like Vin Santo which is often drunk with the almond biscuits ‘cantucci’. Other perfect combinations include chestnut honey or ricotta. But now we come to the moment for making the cake, so let’s discover how to do it together!
Ingredients
* approximate values per serving
Preparation
Soak the raisins. Mix a pinch of salt with the flour and add the water a bit at a time, stirring with a whisk until the mixture is smooth. Then add the pine nuts to the mix, along with the walnuts and raisins, setting to one side some of these three ingredients. Mix well and then pour into a well-greased baking pan. Decorate the surface of chestnut cake with the set-aside dried fruit and nuts and sprinkle over a handful of fresh rosemary. Drizzle over some olive oil and bake for 30 minutes at 200°C.
Step by step
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Add the water to the flour slowly, stirring all the time with a whisk
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Chop up some fresh walnuts
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Add the chopped walnuts and whole pine nuts to the mixture, keeping a few aside
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Grease a cake tin
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Add some soaked raisins to the mixture
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Add the cake mix to the cake tin
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Garnish with a few raisins, pine nuts, walnuts and fresh rosemary
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Your traditional Tuscan chestnut cake is ready
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Additional information
Chestnut Cake with Walnuts and Pine Nuts
The Chestnut Cake with Walnuts and Pine Nuts represents a tasty variation of this traditional Tuscan recipe. The combination of chestnut flour, walnuts, and pine nuts gives the dessert an intense flavor and a slightly crunchy texture. To prepare it, you can soak the raisins to make them softer and more flavorful. After mixing the flour with water and salt, add the pine nuts and walnuts, creating a nutrient-rich dough. Decorate the surface with dried fruit and fresh rosemary needles for an aromatic touch. This preparation is not only delicious but also nutritious, perfect to serve as a dessert or snack.
Tuscan Chestnut Cake
The Tuscan Chestnut Cake is a preparation that has its roots in the culinary tradition of Tuscany. This rustic dessert, made with chestnut flour, is a symbol of poor cuisine, yet rich in authentic flavors. The recipe calls for the use of simple and genuine ingredients, such as walnuts, pine nuts, and rosemary, which enhance the taste of the chestnut flour. The baking takes place in the oven, giving the dessert a golden crust and a moist texture inside. This regional variant is highly appreciated for its intense flavor and its ability to evoke the scents of the Tuscan countryside.
Light Chestnut Cake without Sugar
For those seeking a lighter version of the Chestnut Cake, a light preparation without sugar can be chosen. By using only chestnut flour, water, walnuts, and pine nuts, it is possible to enjoy a healthy and nutritious dessert, perfect for those who want to maintain a balanced diet. The raisins can be omitted or replaced with a bit of natural sweetener, while still keeping the authentic taste of the chestnut cake. This variant is ideal for those who wish to reduce caloric intake without giving up the pleasure of a traditional dessert, making it perfect even for those on special diets.
Nutritional Benefits of Chestnut Cake and Approximate Calories
The Chestnut Cake is a dessert rich in nutrients, thanks to the chestnut flour, which is naturally gluten-free and contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Chestnuts are a source of complex carbohydrates, providing long-term energy, and also contain antioxidants that help combat free radicals. Additionally, the presence of walnuts and pine nuts enriches the dish with healthy fats and proteins. Each serving of Chestnut Cake provides about 200-250 calories, depending on the ingredients used. This preparation is therefore an excellent energy snack, ideal for recharging during the day.
Can Chestnut Cake be Frozen?
The answer is yes, the Chestnut Cake can be frozen. To best preserve its flavor and texture, it is advisable to cut it into slices and wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in a food bag before storing it in the freezer. This way, the dessert will maintain its freshness for several months. When you wish to enjoy it, simply let it thaw at room temperature or warm it briefly in the oven. This convenience makes the Chestnut Cake an excellent choice for those who love to prepare desserts in advance and enjoy them later.