Sbrisoline with Cherries and Chocolate

The cherry and chocolate Sbrisolona is a delicious variant of the traditional Mantuan Sbrisolona cake. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 200 g 00 flour
• 100 g fioretto corn flour
• 100 g almonds coarsely chopped
• 150 g sugar
• 150 g butter at room temperature
• 1 egg
• Grated zest of 1 lemon
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 vial of vanilla flavoring or the seeds of one vanilla pod
• 150 g pitted cherries
• 100 g dark chocolate chunks or chips

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. In a bowl, mix together the flours, chopped almonds, sugar, salt, and lemon zest.
3. Add the butter cut into pieces and work the dough with your hands until you obtain a sandy mixture.
4. Incorporate the egg and vanilla flavoring and continue mixing without overworking the dough, to maintain the characteristic “crumbly” consistency.
5. Add the halved cherries and dark chocolate pieces, mixing gently.
6. Pour the mixture into a cake pan (preferably 24 cm in diameter), without pressing too much, leaving it crumbly.
7. Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until the surface is golden.
8. Let the cherry and chocolate Sbrisolona cool completely before serving.

Trivia

The Sbrisolona cake is a typical dessert from Mantua and its origins date back to very ancient times; it was considered the cake of the poor due to its simplicity. Today it is a true delight to accompany perhaps with a glass of sweet wine or a coffee. The version with cherries and chocolate is a fusion of tradition and innovation, adding a touch of fruit and sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the crunchiness of the almonds.

Enjoy!