Panforte Di Siena

Ingredients

1/2 c all purpose unbleached flour sifted
1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 ts cinnamon
1/4 ts allspice
3/4 c shelled almonds
3/4 c shelled hazelnuts
3/4 c candied orange peel
3/4 candied citron
3/4 candied mixed fruit
3/4 c honey
3/4 c granulated sugar

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 300 F. Sift flour with cocoa, cinnamon, and allspice. Mix in nuts and fruit. Set aside. Combine honey and sugar in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Syrup should register 238 F. on a candy thermometer, or a bit dropped in cold water should form a soft ball. Remove from heat. Add flour mixture and blend well. Pour into a well-greased 9-inch pie plate or a spring-form cake pan. Smooth surface with a wet knife. Bake in a preheated 300 F. oven for 30 minutes, or until firm. Remove from oven, sprinkle top with confectioners' sugar, and cool on a cake rack. When cake is cool, remove from pan and dust all sides with a thick coating of confectioners' sugar. Cut into wedges to serve.