Browse Techniques

The Easter ring cake of Perugia — a soft, ring-shaped cake flavoured with lemon and Alchermes liqueur (a bright red Italian liqueur made from cochineal and spices), covered in a thick white royal icing and decorated with coloured sugar. The bright red interior from the Alchermes contrasts dramatically with the white icing. Eaten at Easter breakfast alongside dyed eggs and local salumi.

A shortcrust tart filled with a mixture of sheep's ricotta and local morello cherries (visciole) preserved in wine, baked until set and golden — a preparation associated with the Spoleto and Gubbio areas where morello cherry orchards are traditional. The bitterness of the visciole cherries contrasts with the sweet ricotta filling; the wine-infused cherries add depth.

Small almond and pine nut cookies shaped to resemble dried fava beans — made throughout Umbria and central Italy for the Feast of the Dead on 1 and 2 November. The dough is made with ground almonds, flour, sugar, egg and lard, flavoured with cinnamon and lemon zest, rolled into small ovals and baked until pale golden. They are traditional offerings placed on gravestones.