king's salami

When the days grow shorter and the crisp winter air invites us to gather in the kitchen, the king's salami emerges as a perfect sweet treat for family celebrations or a delightful snack. This Umbrian specialty, with its unmistakable flavor, is made from simple ingredients like flour, sugar, and eggs, which transform into a rich and enveloping dessert. The preparation, which involves a quick bake in the oven, results in a soft and fragrant base, generously soaked with alchermes, giving the dessert a vibrant color and unique flavor. The addition of unsweetened cocoa and lemon zest provides a perfect balance between sweetness and freshness, making this dessert ideal for accompanying coffee or tea during an afternoon with friends. The king's salami is a nod to Umbrian culinary traditions, a way to rediscover recipes of the past and bring to the table a sweet that never fails to impress.

Beat the egg yolks together with the sugar, add the flour, lemon juice, and grated lemon zest, and mix well. Incorporate the baking powder, grease a long and narrow baking tray, and pour the mixture in a half-centimeter layer. Bake for a few minutes in a hot oven (180°C) and remove from the tray using a damp, wrung-out cloth. Soak with alchermes, spread a layer of chocolate melted in milk on top, and then a layer of pastry cream, rolling it up to form a kind of flat salami.
A typical dessert for baptisms.