A dome-shaped almond cake from Puglia.

Dolcemandorla is a traditional Puglian almond cake that was popularized in the13th century when it was discovered that German-born Italian Emporor Frederick II claimed it as his favorite dessert. It is an elegant, dome-shaped almond cake covered with white chocolate and topped with shaved almonds.

The almonds used to make this moist cake are from the Altopiano della Murgia (a plateau at a high elevation). The almonds are picked by hand, then sun-dried. Once dry, they are split, boiled and peeled. Ground almonds are mixed with honey, sugar, butter and eggs to make the small cake. Toasted almonds and white chocolate cover the dome of the cake. The texture of the cake is like that of a ricciarelli cookie or a soft amaretti cookie with an infusion of citrus and vanilla.

Serve in small pieces with a glass of sweet wine, like vin santo.