Panforte di Siena served as dessert

Origin story

The origins of panforte date back to the Middle Ages, when sweets made with honey, spices, and dried fruit were prepared in the convents and workshops of Siena. An ancestor of the dessert, called "panpepato" or "panforte nero", was already documented in the 13th century as an offering or tribute to religious authorities. In the 19th century a lighter and more delicate version was created, "Panforte Margherita", which is now among the most widespread varieties.