Chestnut-Apple Ciambella Cake
Mario Batali

 

Chestnut-Apple Ciambella Cake

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Ciambella, a simple, delectable cake fit for a holiday table

A ciambella is a simple ring-shaped bread made of egg, shortening and sugar -- basically, an Italian Bundt cake. Ciambelle are often served as an afternoon snack at a bar or caffe. They can be dressed with glazes, syrups or berry compote.

This decadent winter version is inspired by Emilia-Romagna. The fresh chestnuts and chestnut flour bring a smoky flavor and smell that reeks of the Apennines outside of Bologna.

For a decidedly Italian flavor, I soak the currants in grappa, a traditional peasant liqueur. Made from the scraps of what's used to make wine -- the skins, seeds, and stems -- grappa is fermented and distilled. Now thought by many to be an elegant after-dinner drink, grappa comes from humble beginnings.

This moist and delicious cake has an almost pudding-meets-a-cloud-in-heaven texture, thanks to the chestnut flour and the shredded raw apple. The cloves add a holiday flavor that makes this a logical addition to Christmas dinner.

I'll be with my family in Michigan. Rest assured, our table will be replete with ciambella.

 

Chestnut-Apple Ciambella Cake Recipe

Courtesy of "Molto Batali" (ecco, 2011)

Serves 8 to 10.

1/2 cup dried currants

1/2 cup grappa

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups cake flour

1/2 cup chestnut flour

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

6 eggs, separated, at room temperature

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup chopped fresh chestnuts (see note)

2 Rome apples (or any soft tart cooking apple), peeled, seeded and shredded (1 1/2 cups)

2 cups confectioners' sugar

4 teaspoons light corn syrup, or more if needed

1 cup mascarpone, at room temperature

Place the currants in a small bowl, add the grappa, and set aside to soak for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly butter and flour a Bundt pan.

In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cake flour, chestnut flour, cloves, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix until well blended. Add the egg yolks, oil and buttermilk, and, using an electric mixer, beat until smooth.

Drain the currants, reserving the soaking grappa. Fold the currants, chestnuts and apples into the batter.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff. Fold the egg whites into the batter, and then pour the batter into the Bundt pan. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

Remove the pan from the oven and set it aside to cool for 10 minutes. Then invert the cake onto a plate.

In a small bowl, stir together the confectioners' sugar, 4 teaspoons of the reserved soaking grappa and the corn syrup until smooth and glossy. (If it is too thick to spread, add another teaspoon of corn syrup.) Pour the icing over the peak of the cake all around the ring, and allow it to set for 10 minutes.

Drink a shot of the remaining grappa in the kitchen before serving the cake with a bowl of the mascarpone on the side.

Note: Pre-cooked chestnuts would work; or roast or steam fresh whole walnuts and then peel before preparing the ciambella.

Cake Recipe, Italian Cuisine

 

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Chestnut-Apple Ciambella Cake

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