Campanile (cake) facts for kids
The Campanile is a special cake from Corsica, an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Its name comes from the Corsican language, where u campanile means "the bell tower". This delicious cake is usually shaped like a crown and is made from a soft, yeasty dough.
It's a very popular dessert in Corsica and is traditionally eaten during Easter. What makes it unique are the boiled eggs baked right into the cake! These eggs look like little bells inside a bell tower. They also symbolize new life and the earth becoming fertile again after winter. It reminds people of the tradition where church bells ring freely at Easter, after being quiet on Good Friday.
The Campanile is quite similar to other Easter cakes found in Southern Italy, like the campanaru from Sicilian cuisine. In the southern part of Corsica, especially near the town of Sartène, there's a similar Easter cake called Caccaveddu.
What's in a Campanile?
Making a Campanile uses several simple ingredients. Here's what you need:
- Wheat flour
- Yeast
- Salt
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Shortening (called sdruttu) or olive oil
- Aquavita (a type of spirit)
- Raisins
- Boiled eggs (for decoration)
- Extra egg yolk (for brushing)
How is it Made?
First, the raisins are soaked in aquavita to make them plump and flavorful. Then, all the main ingredients – flour, yeast, salt, eggs, sugar, shortening or olive oil, and the soaked raisins – are mixed and kneaded together. This creates a soft dough.
After the dough has risen and become fluffy, it's shaped into a doughnut or ring. The boiled eggs are then carefully placed into the dough, often held in place with small ribbons of dough. Finally, the top of the cake is brushed with egg yolk. This gives the Campanile a beautiful golden color when it bakes. The cake is then baked in a warm oven for about 50 minutes until it's ready to enjoy!
