Schiaccia briaca

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Schiaccia briaca is a traditional cake from the island of Elba. Apart from the typical ingredients such as flour and sugar, the cake also incorporates walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, and raisins, as well as the red-colored Alchermes liqueur and Aleatico Passito —the local dessert wine. The cake has been made from centuries, though the addition of alcohol was only introduced in the 19th century. Traditionally, it was not leavened, though some variations nowadays may be made with yeast. It is believed that the cake was introduced to the island by the Arab Muslims—hence the lack of alcohol in the original recipe and the use of pine nuts and raisins. Schiaccia was favored because it would stay fresh and would not spoil. Before it is baked, it is usually topped with a splash of Alchermes.