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Naples is best identified for its mouthwatering pizzas than for desserts, however there’s one Neapolitan pastry specifically that I’m moderately keen on. Babà, additionally known as rum babà or babbà, originated in Poland, however these rum-soaked sponge desserts turned one among Naples’ sweetest specialties.
Stanislaus Lesczynski, an 18th-century Polish king, by accident spilled rum on a conventional dessert, inventing what we now know as babà. The king’s daughter married into the French royal household in Versailles, and shortly after, French cooks picked up the recipe and made their strategy to Campania. From there, the remainder is historical past!
Beneath, you’ll discover my picks for the most effective spots to get pleasure from babà in Naples, a few of which you will even go to throughout my Naples meals excursions.
Pasticceria Tizzano 1960 di Valentina Tizzano
Picture credit score: Pasticceria Tizzano 1960 di Valentina Tizzano
I’d walked previous Pasticceria Tizzano a number of occasions throughout my first few visits to Naples when coming to and from the practice station. For much too lengthy, I’d unknowingly been lacking out on a number of the tastiest babà in Naples.
Not solely are their pastries the stuff of legend, however the setting itself here’s a deal with for the eyes. The smooth inexperienced partitions, opulent chandeliers, and glowing cake shows make it really feel so refined and stylish.
If I’m trustworthy, all the pieces on supply right here appeared unimaginable, however the babàs are an absolute should. I went for one of many crammed varieties and selected the limoncello-infused possibility.
It was served at room temperature and drenched in a caramel-like rum syrup that lined the moist sponge cake mendacity inside. The thick lemon filling was beautiful, because the zingy flavors from the liqueur made the pastry cream really feel gentle and refreshing.
Pasticceria Tizzano 1960 di Valentina Tizzano – Through Aquila, 155, 80143 Napoli NA, Italy – Open each Monday to Saturday from 7:00 am to eight:30 pm, and each Sunday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Leopoldo Cafebar – Senza Glutine
Picture credit score: Leopoldo Cafebar – Senza Glutine
Leopoldo Cafebar lies simply outdoors the historic middle and is the place to go for gluten-free babà in Naples.
Whereas the pale pink partitions and shiny black finishes make this bakery appear far out of your typical pasticceria, many of the baked treats on supply are quintessentially Neapolitan.
I got here right here in search of a basic rum babà, however my plans rapidly modified once I set my sights on the strawberry and cream-topped selection. It’s not each day you see this variation on supply, so I jumped on the likelihood to strive it out.
Admittedly, I used to be fearful this wheatless various could be a bit of dry, nonetheless it was something however. The cake itself was tender and ethereal whereas the syrup was sharp and citrusy. As I anticipated, the tart strawberries and sugary, silky cream made every chew much more pleasant and flavorsome.
Leopoldo Cafebar – Senza Glutine – P.za Cavour, 78/79, 80137 Napoli NA, Italy – Open each Monday to Thursday from 7:30 am to 10:00 pm, Friday and Sunday from 7:30 am to 12:00 am, and each Saturday from 7:30 am to 1:00 am.
Scaturchio
Picture credit score: Scaturchio
Scaturchio has areas everywhere in the metropolis, and this explicit chain of bakeries has been serving the folks of Naples for over a century. I’ve solely made it to the Porto retailer thus far, but when the others are something like this trendy spot, I’ll little doubt be simply as keen on the opposite branches.
Whereas the shopfront is busy and bustling, the pastry cooks are laborious at work crafting rum babàs out again. Right here, they mix lively dry yeast with bread flour and canopy every cake in liqueur-based syrup earlier than inserting the combination into molds.
The outcomes of their efforts are fantastically displayed in retailer, and I picked up some to group with one among their frothy cappuccinos.
Similar to how the candy milk and bitter espresso balanced one another out, so too did the punchy rum coating and buttery cake combination. Every chew boasted hints of vanilla, orange, and apricot, giving it a zesty kick.
Scaturchio – P.za S. Domenico Maggiore, 19, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy – Open each day from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Mary’s Sfogliatella
Picture credit score: Mary’s Sfogliatella
Mary’s Sfogliatella is perched inside a energetic pocket of Galleria Umberto I within the Quartieri Spagnoli district. Don’t make the error I initially did by overlooking this fashionable however compact stall for its bigger counterparts, because the babàs listed here are among the many finest in Naples.
Like most locations on this refined buying hub, Mary’s Sfogliatella is stylish and polished, occupying a tiny nook below an old-school cover. Don’t be shocked to discover a line right here, however equally, don’t let it put you off from making an attempt the fare right here!
Although the identify of this bakery would lead you to imagine that sfogliatella is their specialty, I believe their rum babàs are the place they actually shine.
I believed they principally caught to conventional babàs, however I used to be elated to identify some pistachio-imbued choices once I reached the highest of the queue. It had all of the necessities of a tasty babà, however the graceful, nutty filling was unimaginable, remodeling it into an much more indulgent snack.
Mary’s Sfogliatella – Galleria Umberto I, 66, 80132 Napoli NA, Italy – Open each day from 8:00 am to eight:30 pm.
Pasticceria Mignone
Picture credit score: Pasticceria Mignone
Pasticceria Mignone is a real gem within the vibrant Rione Sanità neighborhood. It would look a bit of out of the best way if you test it out on the map, nevertheless it’s most positively price getting out of the town for.
The wealth of desserts and confections right here is staggering, and the pleasant employees was available to speak me via all the totally different treats out there.
I went for the basic, filling-free rum babà. As partial as I’m to the quirky, up to date takes on these delights, generally stripping it again to the essential recipe is finest.
This allowed me to completely respect the delicate flavors of the fluffy sponge cake and fruity hues from the sticky rum syrup. Every chew was extra scrumptious than the final, as the refined flavors and chewy texture had been distinctive.
Pasticceria Mignone – P.za Cavour, 145, 80137 Napoli NA, Italy – Open each day from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Sfogliate e Sfogliatelle
Picture credit score: Sfogliate e Sfogliatelle
There’s no manner I may have put collectively this listing with out mentioning Sfogliate e Sfogliatelle in Pendino, house to a number of the most interesting babà in Naples. This group of pastry cooks is perhaps revered for his or her sfogliatella, however their rum babàs are my private favorites.
It’s a comparatively chilled-out spot, however the crimson carpet entrance and retro touches make it really feel a bit of upmarket. Their collection of baked items right here is smaller than in most pasticcerias, however all the pieces they provide is of the very best high quality.
Like many individuals, I first got here right here for the sfogliatelle. Nonetheless, I left with a large to-go field of their rum babàs after I sampled one with a shot of their intense and oh-so-chocolatey espresso!
From the second I attempted the rum-covered crust and tender, brioche-like sponge, I used to be hooked. The syrup they used had notes of dried fruit and gentle vanilla, bringing out floral and saccharine undertones.
Sfogliate e Sfogliatelle – Through S. Gregorio Armeno, 24, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy – Open each day from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Conclusion
Though historically loved on Sundays or throughout particular events, babà in Naples is on the market any day of the week in most pastry retailers. If you happen to’re something like me, you’ll be dreaming of those Neapolitan babàs lengthy after you’ve left the town!
