Torta degli addobbi

Name: Torta degli addobbi
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 150 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: Whole milk 4 ¼ cups; Carnaroli rice 0.8 cup; Sugar 1 ½ cup; Almonds chopped 1 cup; Amaretti cookies crumbled 1 cup; Candied citron 0.7 cup; Fresh liquid cream ½ cup; Eggs (about 7) 13.5 oz; Egg yolks (about 3) 3 ¼ tbsp; Vanilla bean 1; Lemon peel 1; Sugar ½ cup; Water 0.4 cup; Amaretto (liquor) 1.7 oz

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Vegetarian

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 2 h
Serving: 10
Cost: Average
Note + resting times (about 13 h)

PRESENTATION

Torta degli addobbi is one of those classic Bolognese rice cakes that really brings family and friends together for a real celebration. I mean, its story stretches way, way back to Bologna, right in the heart of Emilia-Romagna. Picture this: people hanging colorful fabrics from their windows and popping into each other's homes during the Festa degli Addobbi. Pretty cool, right? Traditionally, it’s cut into diamond shapes for easy sharing—so, so practical.

This cake is moist and aromatic, sparking all those holiday memories. Every family seems to have their own twist on this Italian rice tart. You’ll almost always find chopped almonds, crushed amaretti cookies, and those little bites of sweet candied citron giving it a unique zing. It’s not just a cake, it's a slice of Bologna’s history—served on a plate to be enjoyed together.

Today, you’ll spot torta degli addobbi mostly around Easter. No question about it. But hey, no one will complain if it shows up at other times. The combo of almond rice cake and tender rice pudding offers a dessert that feels both old-school and comforting. It’s the golden top, dotted with almonds for that crunch, that feels just right at a big gathering. Some families add more amaretti or load up on the citron, while others make it a bit more moist or even tangy. Depends on the amount of candied fruit used.

Regardless of these tweaks, what you get is a traditional Italian dessert that unites folks, sharing slices and stories. Whether you grew up in Bologna or simply want to bring a bit of that Italian festival spirit to your table, this Bologna specialty dessert turns any meal into something special. Its rich flavors and cultural roots make it a beloved part of Italian culinary tradition. So, savor not just a taste, but a piece of history.

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients for a 14 x 11 inch pan: Whole milk 4 ¼ cups (1 l); Carnaroli rice 0.8 cup (160 g); Sugar 1 ½ cup (300 g); Almonds 1 cup (100 g) - chopped; Amaretti cookies 1 cup (100 g) - crumbled; Candied citron 0.7 cup (100 g); Fresh liquid cream ½ cup (100 g); Eggs 13.5 oz (385 g) - (about 7); Egg yolks 3 ¼ tbsp (45 g) - (about 3); Vanilla bean 1; Lemon peel 1

for the syrup: Sugar ½ cup (100 g); Water 0.4 cup (100 g); Amaretto (liquor) 1.7 oz (50 g)

Preparation

How to prepare Torta degli addobbi

To prepare the Celebration Cake, add sugar, rice 1, milk 2, vanilla seeds, and the emptied vanilla bean into a pot. Finally, add the grated lemon zest 3.

Stir 4 and cook over medium heat for an hour, stirring occasionally, until the rice is cooked and the milk has significantly reduced 5. At this point, transfer to a wide and shallow baking dish, remove the vanilla bean 6

and cover with plastic wrap on contact 7. Let it cool first at room temperature, then in the refrigerator for 12 hours or overnight. After this time, transfer the rice mixture to a bowl, add the cream 9

and whole eggs 10. Stir with a whisk 11, then add the egg yolks 12

and stir again. Add the previously ground almonds 14, diced candied citron 15

and crumbled amaretti 16. Mix again and pour the mixture into a greased 14 x 11 inch, 1.2-inch high pan 17. Bake in a preheated static oven at 350°F for 60 minutes on the lower rack. Meanwhile, prepare the syrup: pour water and sugar into a small pot 18 and bring to a boil.

Add the liquor 19 and let it simmer for another 3 minutes 20. As soon as the cake is cooked, remove it from the oven 21.

At this point, brush the hot cake with the syrup just prepared 22 to soak it evenly 23. Cut the Celebration Cake into squares before serving 34!

Storage

The Celebration Cake can be stored at room temperature for 2 days, covered with a dome.

Advice

Instead of citron, you can use candied orange.

If you do not want to use amaretto, you can use orange juice or almond flavoring.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.