Licorice Cake

Licorice cake is a unique dessert that combines the intense taste of licorice with the softness of the sweet treat. Here is a recipe for making a licorice cake:

Ingredients

• 200 g of all-purpose flour
• 100 g of sugar
• 100 g of butter at room temperature
• 2 eggs
• 100 ml of milk
• 1 packet of baking powder
• 2 tablespoons of licorice extract (or licorice powder, depending on availability)
• 1 pinch of salt

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until you obtain a frothy and light mixture.
3. Add the softened butter and continue beating until the mixture is smooth and even.
4. Slowly incorporate the sifted flour with the baking powder, alternating with the milk, until the mixture is smooth and without lumps.
5. Add the licorice extract and a pinch of salt, mix until the extract is well distributed in the batter.
6. Butter and flour a 22-24 cm diameter cake tin and pour the batter into it.
7. Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
8. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely before removing it from the mold.

Curiosity

Licorice is often used in pastry in Italy, especially in the south where the licorice plant grows abundantly. The area around Rossano, in Calabria, is famous for the production of this root with a unique and unmistakable flavor.

If you do not have licorice extract, you can dissolve some licorice candies in a little hot milk and use it in the batter.

Remember that the flavor of licorice is very strong, so it’s always better to start with a smaller amount and adjust according to your taste.