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Pepper Cake

17/11/2023

Pepper Cake, also known as Pereta Cake, is a traditional Italian dessert typical of certain areas in central Italy, particularly in the Marche region. The distinctive feature of this cake is the use of black pepper which, together with the other ingredients, creates a unique flavor. Here is the traditional recipe:

Ingredients

  • 300 g of flour
  • 200 g of sugar
  • 100 g of shelled almonds
  • 100 g of shelled walnuts
  • 100 g of dark chocolate
  • 100 g of mixed candied fruits
  • 100 g of honey
  • 1 packet of baking powder for desserts
  • 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 glass of Alchermes (optional)
  • Grated zest of 1 lemon
  • Seed oil or butter to grease the pan

Preparation

  1. Begin by lightly toasting the almonds and walnuts in a pan or in the oven. Then chop them coarsely along with the chocolate.

  2. In a large bowl, mix the flour with the sugar and baking powder.

  3. Add to the flour mixture the honey, black pepper, pinch of salt, and grated lemon zest.

  4. Also incorporate the chopped almonds and walnuts, candied fruits, and chocolate into the mixture.

  5. Combine all the ingredients until you obtain a homogeneous dough. If it is too dry, you can add a bit of Alchermes or, alternatively, a few tablespoons of milk or water.

  6. Pour the mixture into a pan previously greased with oil or butter and floured or lined with parchment paper.

  7. Bake at 180°C for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Curiosity

Pepper Cake has very ancient historical roots and it seems that its origin can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when pepper was used not only as a spice but also for its supposed medicinal properties. Pepper, along with other rich ingredients such as chocolate, walnuts, and candied fruits, suggests that this might have been a cake prepared for special occasions, considering also the high regard and cost of spices during that time.

Alchermes, with its distinctive red color and spicy flavor, is an ingredient that might appear in various Italian regional recipes, and is often associated with sweets, such as the well-known Zuppa Inglese.

Pepper Cake