Tentasiù de la Spusa

The “Bride’s Temptations” or “Tentasu de la Spusa” are a typical Sicilian dessert, specifically from the Erice area. They are very delicious sweets that are traditionally prepared for special occasions, such as weddings. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 400 g flour
• 200 g sugar
• 200 g blanched almonds
• 2 eggs (plus one yolk for brushing)
• 60 g lard (or butter)
• 1 vial of vanilla extract
• Grated zest of one lemon
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 sachet baking powder
• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Apricot jam (or other flavor of choice)

Preparation

1. Start by finely grinding the almonds to obtain almond flour.
2. In a large bowl, mix the almond flour with the sugar, honey, sifted flour, baking powder, lard, a pinch of salt, vanilla extract, and grated lemon zest.
3. Add the eggs and work all the ingredients until you obtain a homogeneous dough.
4. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap for about 30 minutes.
5. After resting, take small portions of dough and form balls the size of a walnut.
6. Flatten each ball to obtain discs and place a teaspoon of apricot jam in the center.
7. Fold the discs onto themselves to form little bundles, sealing the edges well to prevent the jam from leaking during baking.
8. Arrange the sweets on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and brush them with a beaten egg yolk.
9. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 15-20 minutes or until golden.
10. Let cool and dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Curiosities

The name “Bride’s Temptations” refers to the idea that these sweets are so delicious they tempt anyone, including the bride on her wedding day, who traditionally should resist temptations to appear at her best. They are sweets that embody Sicilian pastry art and enclose the richness and sweetness of the island.