Ingredients
00 FLOUR
350 g
SEMOLINATED SUGAR
200 g
EGGS
3
LARD OR BUTTER
125 g
ALCHERMES
130 ml
LEMON (ZEST)
1
YEAST FOR DESSERTS
16 g
FOR THE MERINGUE
ALBUM AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

The ciaramicola is a typical dessert of the Umbrian tradition, in particular of Perugia, which is prepared at Easter, together with the other desserts of the period. It is a soft red donut, given by the addition of alchermes, a liqueur with a low alcohol content, but very aromatic: it is covered with a white meringue and decorated with colored sprinkles.

This preparation was born in the fifteenth century, as a hymn to the city of Perugia: its colors – red and white – recall the city coat of arms, while the original shape, with 5 humps, symbolized the 5 districts of the city. Even today, although the dessert is cooked in a normal donut mold, it retains its value intact for the people of Perugia.

The name ciaramicola derives, according to some, from ciara, meaning “clear”, like the color of the white meringue that covers it. According to others, it instead derives from ciarapica, an Umbrian dialect term to indicate the tit, a colorful bird that announces the arrival of spring.

Still others claim that it comes from ciaramella, in reference to the circular shape of the dessert. It is also said that in the past it was the dessert that brides-to-be gave to their future husbands on the occasion of Easter.

The preparation requires simple and easily available ingredients: just make the alchermes flavored donut and then move on to the meringue which, once shiny and compact, will cover the cake and must dry in the oven at a low temperature. As per the original recipe, we use lard to make the cake dough even softer, but you can replace it with butter for a result with a more delicate flavour.

Find out how to prepare the ciaramicola following the step-by-step procedure and advice. If you liked this recipe, also try other delicacies of the period, such as sweet Easter pizza and sweet casatiello.

2
FINE GRANULATED SUGAR
200 g
LEMON JUICE
2-3 drops
COLORED DRUFFLES
to taste
FOR DECORATION
COLORED DRUFFLES
to taste
TOOLS YOU WILL NEED
LARGE BOWL
2
ELECTRIC WHISKERS
1
SPATULA
1
22-24 CM DONUT MOLD