Sweet Sanguinaccio
- Gluten Free
- Vegetarian
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 10 min
- Cook time: 5 min
- Serving: 8
- Cost: Low
- Note + 2 h of rest in the fridge
PRESENTATION
Sanguinaccio dolce is this Southern Italian blood pudding that really flips the script on what you might think about old-school desserts. Seriously good. It’s not your average pudding—its roots go way, way back to when rural families used every bit of the pig, including the blood, especially during Carnival. And here's the thing: these days, people have swapped the blood for a smooth and rich mix of dark chocolate, cocoa, and cinnamon. So, it is sweet and a bit mysterious.
During Carnival, tables are packed with treats, but this traditional Italian dessert always stands out. It's usually served with chiacchiere, those crispy fried pastries that just crumble with every bite. And look, while some regions add candied fruits or chocolate chips, this version sticks to a pure, sanguinaccio dolce cream. It’s all about deep chocolate flavors with a hint of warming spice.
Thing is, when Carnival season rolls around in Southern Italy, families fill their tables with desserts like castagnole, migliaccio, graffe, and baked chiacchiere. But, you know what? There’s just something about this Italian chocolate pudding that brings a sense of tradition and nostalgia. Makes it feel extra special. The texture is velvety, kinda decadent, almost like a hug in a bowl. Cinnamon gives it a cozy kick.
Adding sweet blood pudding to your spread isn’t just another treat—it’s like connecting to that festive spirit still buzzing in southern kitchens. No question. A true Carnival isn’t complete without a spoonful of this moist, chocolatey cream. Whether you’re serving it with crunchy pastries or sneaking a taste straight from the bowl—who wouldn't?—this Neapolitan dessert makes any celebration feel more authentic and super fun. Every bite carries a bit of history, and that’s why it’s such a favorite, year after year. So, next time you’re celebrating, remember to bring a little Southern Italy to your table with this really really good treat.
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- INGREDIENTS
- for about 2 lbs of sanguinaccio
- Whole milk 2 cups (500 g)
- Sugar 1 cup (200 g)
- Dark chocolate 3.5 oz (100 g)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder 0.8 cup (70 g)
- Cornstarch 5 tbsp (40 g)
- Butter 2 tbsp (30 g)
- Cinnamon powder ½ tsp (2 g)
How to prepare Sweet Sanguinaccio
To prepare the sweet sanguinaccio, first combine the dry ingredients in a heavy-bottomed steel saucepan: sift the cornstarch 1 and bitter cocoa 2 using a sieve, then add the sugar 3,
Flavor with ground cinnamon 4, pour in the cold milk 5, and stir with a whisk to blend and dissolve any lumps 6.
Move to the stove and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes 7. It's important to stir continuously, especially scraping the edges well. As soon as the sauce changes consistency, remove the saucepan from the heat 8 and incorporate the chopped chocolate 9.
Add the butter in pieces 10, then mix well until completely melted 11. At this point, transfer the cream to a wide baking dish and let it cool 12.
Cover with plastic wrap 13 and place in the refrigerator to chill for 2 hours. Before serving, vigorously mix with a whisk 14. Your sweet sanguinaccio is ready to be enjoyed 15!