Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Almond Paste Heart: Sicily’s Sweet Symbol of Love
A stunning heart-shaped treat crafted from almond paste and citron preserve, capturing the sweet spirit of Sicilian tradition.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 600g almond paste (see recipe)
- ✓ 250g citron preserve
- ✓ 300g dark chocolate
- ✓ Juice of half a lemon
- ✓ Food colouring
📊 Nutritional Information
The almond paste heart is one of Sicily’s most enchanting confections, often made for celebrations or as a heartfelt gift. Made up of two fragrant almond paste layers filled with tart citron preserve, it embodies the sweetness and charm of island heritage.
Its distinctive heart shape is no accident — it’s a symbol of the warmth, devotion and generosity that define Sicilian culture, where almonds – a sign of renewal – star in many time-honoured sweets.
This is a refined yet straightforward recipe, simple in ingredients but rich in meaning.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Roll out 450g of the almond paste into two not-too-thin sheets. Place one sheet into a heart-shaped mould lined with cling film.
- 2
Spread the citron preserve evenly over the base, then cover with the second sheet, carefully sealing the edges.
- 3
Divide the remaining almond paste into small portions and, if you like, add a few drops of food colouring diluted with a little water.
- 4
Shape small decorations from the coloured paste and arrange them on top of the heart.
- 5
Leave the decorations to air dry for a few minutes.
- 6
Meanwhile, melt the dark chocolate over a bain-marie with a splash of lemon juice.
- 7
Brush the heart with the melted chocolate and bake at 150°C for about 5 minutes, just long enough to set the glaze.
💡 Tips and Variations
For a bolder flavour, swap the citron preserve for bitter orange marmalade. To achieve a glossy finish, stir a little honey into the melted chocolate before glazing.
📦 Storage
- • Keep the cake in a cool, dry place under a glass dome for up to 5 days.
- • Avoid refrigerating to preserve the texture of the almond paste.
🍷 Pairing
Serve the Almond Paste Heart with a glass of Moscato di Noto, whose sweetness and citrus notes perfectly complement this Sicilian delicacy.
Why not bring a little Sicilian love into your home kitchen? This almond paste heart isn’t just a delicious treat—it’s a heartfelt gift and a beautiful centrepiece for any occasion. I encourage you to give it a go, share it with your loved ones, and savour a slice of Sicily together. Happy baking!
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