Dear readers,
despite the horrible events in Ukraine I hope you’re doing ok. This week, I wanted to create something sweet and pleasurable for you to enjoy. I have listed my favorite sweets of Bologna, where to find them and when to enjoy them. For my paid subscribers I recommend a dessert wine to pair with one of my the listed desserts. It has given me great pleasure to collect and write about my favorite sweets, so I hope it brings pleasure to you as well. I recommend you enjoying this week’s Merenda with a cappuccino or another type of coffee of preference. Sweet reading!
Cari Saluti,
Emilia in Bologna
1. Breakfast at Regina di Quadri Sfogliata di Crema
The best way to start your day in Bologna, preferably a Saturday or Sunday is with a fresh Sfogliata from the pasticceria Regina di Quadri. Enjoy it with a cappuccino or macchiato, preferably at their terrace or outside tables in sunlight.
Regina di Quadri is a pasticceria, café and bar located near Porta Castglione on the south side of Bologna. It was founded in 2010 by Francesco Elmi a local, accomplished pastry chef who has run Regina di Quadri, over the years becoming a point of reference for Bolognese and Italian pastry.
Regina di Quadri makes traditional pastries, breakfast goods, cakes and small desserts. In addition to the sfogliata, so far I’ve tried their brioches (croissants), some puff pastries and their pistacchio gelato cake which was to die for. However, if you’re looking for something sweet, filling and crunchy the sfogliata is for you.
Where to find them
Via Castiglione 73, Bologna.
Check their website here, Facebook page here and Instagram here.
2. Afternoon coffee or tea with Corollo Casareccio cake
Corollo is a typical Tuscan cake which I’ve found at our local grocery store’s counter Verdura (previously mentioned in this post). It’s a huge round cake presented regally in a glass cake stand with a dome. It was hard not to be curious about this cake. I started talking with Verdura’s staff and they told me the cake is made and brought from a bakery in Maremma Tuscany. Corsini Biscotti a family owned company and has been in the baking business since 1921. It is most famous for its Cantuccini Toscani.
The Corollo Casareccio is made with eggs, sugar, butter, flour and lemon zest, and garnished with powdered sugar. It’s heavy and light at the same time. This one is at its best with an afternoon coffee or tea.
Where to find it
Verdura Bologna, Via Santo Stefano 29
Corsini Siena Panetteria e Pasticceria, Via Diaz 4/14, Siena
Panetteria e Pasticceria Corsini Via Marconi 2, Casteldelpiano
Check their website here
3. Laganà’s Torta Napoletana - the perfect Sunday dessert
Pasticceria Laganà is another staple of pastries and baked goods in Bologna, a family business since the 1930’s. Laganà has a lot of different pastries to offer, varying from savoury pastries to classic cakes.
When we first moved to Bologna we got invited for an Italian birthday party and wanted to bring something with us to the party. Our landlady recommend to go get some sweets from the nearby Pasticceria Laganà. We didn’t know it was a staple until several of the local guests saw the pastries from Laganà which we had brought with us and nodded with acceptance and delight.
My favorite of their variety is their Torta Napoletana, which is made with ricotta. It’s sweet, fresh and a delicious way to end a meal. I would enjoy as a dessert on a Sunday dinner.
Where to find them
Pasticceria Laganà, Via Santo Stefano 112
Check their website here, Facebook page here, Instagram here
4. Tenerina chocolate cake from Il Forno Di Un Chicco
The bakery Il Forno di un Chicco is a popular bakery also on Via Santo Stefano. They have a lot of baked goods but also excellent bread (which isn’t to take for granted in Italy) and delicious cakes. There is often a queue outside their door but rarely are they out of goods.
I often go here to get a loaf of bread if we are having guests, or for their exquisite Tenerina, the typical chocolate cake. It's the best one I’ve found so far in Bologna and we’ve enjoyed it several times as a dessert with dinner guests. Enjoy the Tenerina either traditionally with whipped mascarpone or gelato.
The other day, the French lady behind the counter recommend to try their chocolate cookies filled with pistacchio paste, which I ended up trying and they were a delight!
Where to find them
Il Forno di Un Chicco, Via de'Falegnami 16a
Check their website here
5. A dessert wine to complete the experience
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