I’m always happy … no wait … make that THRILLED whenever I find someone who is as addicted to cookbooks as I am!
You can imagine how pleased … no wait … make that THRILLED I was Liliana of My Cookbook Addiction introduced herself to me. Not only is she a fellow Italian Canadian, as her blog name would suggest, she is as much in need of a 12-step program for the rehabilitation of a cookbook problem as I am!
During the summer, Liliana and I were e-mailing each other back and forth when the subject of a certain cookbook came up. The cookbook in questions was a new one, scheduled to be out in the fall, by Gina DePalma of Babbo fame.
I first learned about Gina DePalma several years ago when I found a recipe for Cannoli in Food & Wine magazine. The recipe, by DePalma, was the first I’d ever seen from here and I was fascinated to read about her success.
Naturally, Liliana and I circled the publication date on our calendars. As it turns out, it took a bit longer for the book to hit Canadian bookstores so I only recently received my copy of Dolce Italiano, one of the finest examples of cookbooks dedicated to Italian sweets.
If you’re a baker, a dessert lover, or if you have a pulse, you need to go and get this book!
In our excitement, Liliana and I decided that we’d pick a recipe from the book and post about it today. We settled on the recipe for Grappa-Soaked Mini Sponge Cakes because what Italian doesn’t love grappa.
Really.
The recipe was very straightforward and as the recipe notes explain, this is a variation on one of the most classic elements of Italian dessert, pan di spagna.
The grappa syrup was delicious, although the grappa flavour isn’t very strong as most of the alcohol does burn off while the syrup is cooking. The little cakes are just so pretty and everyone enjoyed them with a bit of whipped cream.
I won’t share the recipe because I didn’t adapt it any way. But I strongly encourage you to check this book out if you can. You won’t regret it.
Liliana, thanks for being my partner in this latest cookbook escapade!
Ciao!
Technorati tags: 
grappa, 
pan di spagna, 
cake
18 comments
linda
Lovely cakes! I’ll add the book to my amazon wishlist, even though I already have a cookbook on Italian dolce (La Dolce Vita by Ursula Ferrigno)…more is more instead of less in this case right
Tea
As soon as I go back to the states, I am ordering it (it is cheaper there, hehe)
Thanks for the advice!!
Peter
Great looking dessert and Italiano right down to the Grappa!
Lydia
I love that you make baking more fun by doing it with someone else!
VeggieGirl
Not only do you and Liliana share a cookbook addiction (actually, I share that addiction as well, haha), but you’re both Italian-Canadian!! How exciting!! It’s always fun to find someone whom you have quite a bit in common with :0)
Wow, those mini-sponge cakes with grappa-syrup look divine!! I wouldn’t mind checking out Dolce Italiano, if I see it in stores – sounds like a great cookbook indeed!
MrsPresley
these look absolutely beautiful!
Mandy
I made the mosaic biscottis from the book (although I don’t own the book) and love it! This book is certainly going on my
Christmas wishlist.
Annemarie
I like your mini-cakes placed next to your larger cake. They look incredibly moist, and I’m really intrigued by the grappa glaze. I will have to look out for this cookbook for sure…
Paz
These cakes are pretty looking as well as delicious looking. Thanks for sharing the news of the cookbook with us!
Paz
brilynn
Those are so cute! I can’t wait until I’m in Toronto and might get to sample some of your goods!
Dana
I’ve been eying this book… Now I might just have to buy it!
Liliana
Ivonne, how fun is this? Your cakes look absolutely divine and I know they delicious!
Bring on the grappa!
Kristen
It is always fun to have someone to share our addictions with!
These cakes are gorgeous!
Shaun
Ivonne, honey ~ I had only heard about DePalma minutes ago after reading the Golden Scoop winners (it happened ages ago, but I read about it after Pille made Kelli’s now famous Matcha Green Tea Cookies). DePalma was a panelist for the event. I guess if I had the “Babbo Cookbook” I’d have known about her earlier.
Your result is gorgeous, as always. I am not a baker, but I do have a pulse, so this goes on to the Wish List (no book ever stays there for long!). Besides, now that I know that there is a recipe with grappa syrup, Eric will ensure that we get the book ASAP (he is a sucker for grappa).
Beautiful, beautiful, as always.
peabody
I just bought this last week and love it! Can’t wait to bake from it.
Glad you found another cookbook addict…but I still think I am winning to too many cookbooks war.
JennDZ - The Leftover Queen
Ivonne! you have got to check out my webpage, there are several food bloggers who are doing some of Gina’s recipes to help promote her book. It is a lot of fun and I think you would definately enjoy it. You can check out my blog for more info! Your little ckaes look absolutely lovely!
Mary
Grappa, after the alcohol is gone, is a delicate flavour.. I have reduced it but only for ‘other purposes’. Interesting to see it used here. And thank you for the cookbook tip. I’d love some recipes for Italian sweets that aren’t written on the back of envelopes without a mention of flour because it’s a given!! I’m all for trial and error but as many sweet ingredients are $, this is great news!
Ann
Those look amazing. I just want to reach into my screen and grab a bite.