Buccellato is a traditional Sicilian dessert, spread throughout the island, and eaten at Christmas.
Ingredients
Pastry
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt >>
Preparation
To make the pastry:
In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugar.
Add the eggs, milk, and vanilla. Mix until blended.
Add the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Mix until the ingredients form a dough.
Gather the dough into a ball and then flatten into a disk.
Wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours or as long as overnight.
To make the filling:
In a food processor, combine the figs and walnuts. Pulse to chop coarsely.
Transfer to a bowl and stir in the currants or raisins. Add the Marsala, orange juice and zest, cinnamon, and >>
History
A fig and nut filled ring called a buccellato heralds Christmas in Sicily.
Buccellato is also given by godparents to their godchild and family on the christening day.
The cake is supposed to be as large as possible to ensure good luck.
We are also proving you with a recipe for Buccellatini which are simply mini versions of the large cake.
