Fisherman’s bread, also referred to as pane del pescatore, is a cross between a cookie, scone and biscuit with a tough shell and tender inside that’s stuffed with dried raisins and nuts. This hearty breakfast or snack is ideal to get pleasure from with tea or to dip in milk! 

 

Different recipes that I like to serve for breakfast or snack embrace glazed cinnamon scones, cinnamon almond welsh muffins or Italian S cookies. 

Fisherman’s bread (pane del pescatore) is a standard scone-like bread typically present in Florence bakeries and throughout Northern Italy. My mom in legislation would make these occasionally to serve with breakfast or for a snack.

Similar to my favourite Italian pistachio biscotti they’re good with a cup of espresso or tea and the slight crunch could remind you of my genuine cantucci toscani.

As soon as upon a time fishermen’s bread was thought-about a staple for fishermen to take whereas crusing, that is why you may additionally hear it referred to as sailor’s bread. They’re stuffed with nuts and dried fruit which makes them hearty and have a crunchy exterior with a young crumb!

Why You’ll Love This Fisherman’s Bread Recipe

• Easy elements: The dough is a straightforward non-yeasted dough that comes collectively simply with frequent elements.
• Hearty texture: Plump dried raisins and nuts add bursts of sweetness and crunchy texture in addition to sustenance, therefore why it was referred to as ‘bread of the fishermen’.

Pane del Pescatore Substances

• All-purpose flour: I examined with this all-purpose flour that I had sifted.
• Granulated sugar: Provides a candy style to the dough.
• Baking powder: Since we aren’t utilizing yeast, baking powder helps this bread raise and rise.
• Salt: Enhances the style. 
• Butter: Softened butter is combined into the dough till crumbly, just like making do-it-yourself scones.
• Eggs: Two massive eggs and two massive egg yolks add binding and moisture to the biscuits.
• Dried nuts and raisins: I used dried raisins, pine nuts and coarsely chopped almonds.
• Sugar water: Granulated sugar, water and sliced almonds.
• Sliced almonds: For garnish on prime of the pane del pescatore.

How one can Make Fisherman’s Bread 

To start out, soak the raisins in boiling water or rum for 20 minutes, drain nicely. Put aside.

Mix sugar and water in a small pot then warmth till boiling and proceed to cook dinner for 2-3 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Roast the nuts in a pre-heated oven.

Subsequent, in a big bowl whisk collectively the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.

Add the softened butter, eggs and yolks and blend till nearly mixed.

Fold within the pine nuts, raisins and chopped almonds, combine to mix. 

Transfer the dough to a flippantly floured flat floor and kind right into a ball, divide into 10-12 elements.

Form into balls, place on the ready baking sheets, flatten barely then brush with the sugar water and sprinkle with slivered almonds.

Bake till golden and performed, then cool fully.

Suggestions and Variations

There are such a lot of methods to make fisherman’s bread, so be happy to improvise with the next mix-ins! 

• As an alternative of sugar water: Use an egg wash, brush with milk or soften an excellent high quality darkish chocolate and dip half of the fishermen’s bread into it for a extra dessert model deal with. 
• Dried nuts and fruit: As an alternative of raisins attempt dried cranberries, currants or golden raisins. Swap pine nuts and almonds for pecans or pistachios.
• Add chocolate chips: Or white chocolate chips if you need.
• Kind of flour: I’ve tailored this recipe to make use of the extra generally discovered all-purpose flour however it will work with type00 or bread flour.
• Zest: Add zest of an orange or zest of a lemon for a burst of candy citrus style. 
• Don’t skip soaking the raisins: This not solely makes them softer and juicer however may even assist maintain the pane del pescatore comfortable and moist. You too can soak them in rum liquor if that’s your choice!

Extra Italian Recipes to Strive

If you find yourself searching for a bread recipe to make why not give these Fishermen’s Bread a attempt! Buon Appetito.