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Home » Recipes » Sweet Pasta Recipes

Published: Oct 23, 2021 by Jacqui

Chocolate and Walnut Sweet Pasta Recipe


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A traditional holiday recipe from Umbria.

This chocolate and walnut sweet pasta recipe from Umbria in Central Italy is a unique dessert that’s so easy to make. This pasta cake is a traditional dessert for Halloween and Christmas Eve. But, I think it’s a fabulous way to wow your guests any time of year!

Chocolate and walnut sweet pasta recipe (maccheroni dolce)

Sweet pasta recipe traditions.

As I have discovered since starting The Pasta Project, there are lots of Italian sweet pasta recipes. Mostly, these are dishes Italians make for feasts and holidays like Carnival, Easter and Christmas. Both sweet and savoury traditional holiday dishes vary from region to region in Italy. In fact, there are very few that are made and eaten throughout the country, like turkey in the US at Thanksgiving and in UK at Christmas. The exception to this is lamb at Easter, although the lamb isn’t cooked the same way everywhere.

Chocolate and walnut sweet pasta recipe from Umbria (maccheroni dolce)

The sweet exception is panettone at Christmas. However, even though it’s now popular throughout Italy and abroad, panettone actually comes from Milan. Most sweet pasta recipes are unique to the region or even just the town where they originated. For example, pasta pastiera is an Easter dessert only eaten in some parts of Naples and its surroundings and Cjarsons are sweet special occasion ravioli from the Carnia Alps in Friuli Venezia Giulia.

ingredients for chocolate and walnut sweet pasta from Umbria
Step 1 Gather your ingredients

The origins of chocolate and walnut sweet pasta from Umbria.

This Umbrian sweet pasta cake is traditionally eaten on two holiday occasions, the Eve of All Saints Day (actually Halloween) and Christmas Eve. Halloween isn’t as big a deal here in Italy as it is in the USA, although it’s becoming more popular.

breadcrumbs and crushed walnuts in a white and terracotta bowl
Step 2 Crush/grind the walnuts and put them in a bowl with the breadcrumbs

For Italians, the more important days are 1st November (All Saints Day) and 2nd November (All Souls Day). In English, the other name for All Saints Day is All Hallows’ Day from which the name Halloween originated. Halloween is the eve of All Hallows’ Day, which celebrates all the saints of the Christian church.

sugar and cocoa in bowl with crushed walnuts and breadcrumbs
Step 3 Add the sugar and 2 types of cocoa into the bowl

The origins of this recipe are pretty antique. I’ve read that sweet pasta in Umbria dates back to the ancient Romans and the Etruscans. Of course, there was no chocolate in those days. Like tomatoes, potatoes and pumpkins, chocolate was brought to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century. So, older recipes had only honey, walnuts and breadcrumbs.

lemon and lemon grated in bowl with breadcrums, walnuts, sugar and cocoa.
Step 4 Add the cinnamon and lemon zest and mix well.

Ingredients in this sweet pasta recipe.

Over time, people added other ingredients to this traditional holiday treat. Of course, like other Italian recipes that date back hundreds of years, there are variations in the ingredients. However, nowadays, chocolate is omnipresent, as is walnuts and sugar, although you can use honey instead.

bottle of Alchermes liqueur held over bowl with chocolate and walnut mixture
Step 5 Pour in the Alchermes and rum.

Breadcrumbs are also included in most recipes, but not all. I added them. The recipe I followed called for cinnamon, lemon zest, Alchermes liqueur and rum. Nutmeg is also a popular spice in Umbrian sweet pasta, although I didn’t use it.

Alchermes and rum added to chocolate and walnut mixture
Step 6 After adding the Alchermes and rum mix everything together well

What is Alchermes liqueur?

At this point, you may be asking yourself what Alchermes is! This is a dessert liqueur that is a modification of an 8th century potion, used as a heart tonic and in the treatment of smallpox and measles! Nowadays, it’s made with alcohol, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, orange peel and other flavourings.

ready chocolate and walnut condiment in large bowl
Step 7. Once the ingredients are well mixed, remove a cupful of the condiment and set aside.

The bright scarlet colour originally came from a tiny insect called Kermes, hence the name of the liqueur! Today, they use food colouring. Alchermes is most famously used in the Italian trifle recipe ‘zuppa inglese’. Alchermes can be substituted with rum. This recipe includes a bit of both. But, you can use only rum.

cooked pasta added to the bowl with the chocolate and walnut paste.
Step 8. Cook the pasta a bit more than al dente, save some of the cooking water, drain and add to the bowl.

The pasta for Umbrian maccheroni dolce.

Because this chocolate and walnut sweet pasta recipe is traditionally made on Christmas Eve and the Eve of All Saints Day, the original pasta was a homemade flour and water tagliatelle. Umbrians didn’t make the pasta with eggs as these are days of fasting and abstinence. In the past, no animal derivatives were allowed during religious fasts. Nowadays the rule usually on applies to meat.

pasta mixed into the chocolate and walnut paste
Step 9. Mix everything together well.

You can still find this sweet pasta cake made with homemade eggless tagliatelle in Umbria. However, many people use dried pasta, particularly pasta tubes like maccheroni, rigatoni, tortiglioni. Italians often use maccheroni as a generic term for many types of pasta. However, there are pasta companies that label some types of pasta tubes as maccheroni. I used maccheroni from La Molisana.

Pasta and chocolate paste mixed together and put in round cake tin
Step 10 Put the pasta and chocolate mixture into a cake tin or round, square or rectangular dish.

How to make this sweet pasta from Umbria.

This pasta cake is pretty easy to make. The pasta has to be cooked a little more than normal, so it becomes a bit sticky! The other ingredients are mixed together in a bowl. Then, you remove a bit of the chocolate mixture and add the cooked pasta, mix everything together well. If it seems dry, add some pasta cooking water.

chocolate and walnut sweet pasta in cake tin
Step 11 Add the extra chocolate and walnut mixture to the top of the cake. Spread it and press the top so it's even and there are no gaps around the edges.

Next, put the pasta and chocolate into a serving dish or cake tin. Cover the top with the extra chocolate mixture and some melted chocolate. Leave in the fridge overnight and serve cold!

melted dark chocolate in white bowl
Step 12. Melt the dark chocolate with some pasta cooking water.

I’ve also seen this sweet pasta from Umbria served in individual dessert glasses. Although I haven’t tried that, I would like too. For this recipe, I used a spring form cake tin. I think it looks so nice and made it easier to cut cake-like slices! But, it’s okay to use a square or rectangular dish.

Chocolate and walnut sweet pasta ready to go on the fridge
Step 13 Spread the melted chocolate over the top of the cake. Refrigerate for 12 hours.

Let me know what you think.

Whichever way you serve this sweet pasta, I’m sure you’ll love it as much as the Umbrians do. You are also bound to seriously impress your guests as this is such a unique dish.

Chocolate and walnut sweet pasta recipe (maccheroni dolce)
Bring your chocolate and walnut sweet pasta to room temperature before serving.

If you do try it, I’d love to hear what you think. Also, have a look at our Christmas pasta recipes, and please write a comment here on the blog or post a comment on the Pasta Project Facebook page.

Your feedback means a lot to me!

Buon appetito!

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Chocolate and walnut sweet pasta recipe (maccheroni dolce)

Other sweet pasta recipes worth trying.

  1. Pasta and ricotta pie from Naples
  2. Cinnamon butter gnocchi from Veneto
  3. Prune and fig sweet ravioli from Friuli Venezia Giulia
  4. Heart-shaped chocolate ravioli

More recipes from Umbria

  1. Umbrian lentil soup with pasta
  2. Pasta alla Norcina
  3. Breadcrumb gnocchi with sausage and beans
Chocolate and walnut sweet pasta recipe (maccheroni dolce)

Chocolate and walnut sweet pasta recipe (maccheroni dolce). A traditional holiday recipe from Umbria.

Jacqui
This easy to make chocolate and walnut sweet pasta recipe from Umbria in Central Italy is a unique dessert. This 'cake' is traditional at Halloween and Christmas Eve. But, I think it’s a fabulous way to wow your guests any timeof year!
5 from 18 votes
Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Refrigerator time 12 hours hrs
Total Time 12 hours hrs 45 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Central Italy, Italian, Umbria
Servings 8
Calories 468 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g pasta tubes (7oz) maccheroni, rigatoni, tortiglioni etc
  • 200 g breadcrumbs (7oz)
  • 200 g walnuts (7oz) ground or finely chopped
  • 100 g sugar (3.5oz) I used fine cane sugar
  • 25 g sweet cocoa (1oz)
  • 25 g bitter cocoa (1oz)
  • 50 g dark chocolate (2oz)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • zest of half a lemon
  • 100 g Alchermes (3floz)
  • 1 shot rum (1.5 floz) or 2 if not using Alchermes

Instructions
 

  • Grind or crush the walnuts into small pieces (not too fine) in a food processor. You can also put them in a bag and crush them with a rolling pin or mallet.
  • Put the ground walnuts in a bowl, add the breadcrumbs and sugar and mix. Then add the 2 kinds of cocoa and mix again. Next put in the cinnamon and lemon zest and finally add the rum and Alchermes (or just rum). Mix everything together well. Remove a cupful of the mixture and set aside.
  • Put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta. I didn’t add salt. Cook the pasta a little more than al dente so it’s a bit soft and sticky. Once the pasta is ready, save a cupful of the cooking water, drain and add it to the chocolate mixture. Mix well until all the pasta is incorporated in the chocolate condiment. Add some of the saved pasta cooking water if it seems to dry.
  • Put the pasta and chocolate mix into a round, square or rectangular dish. I used a springform cake tin. Using a spatula or wooden spoon press the cake down so that the surface is even and the sides are full. You don’t want gaps along the edges ofthe cake.
  • Spread the extra chocolate and walnut mixture over the top of the cake. Then melt the dark chocolate with some of the pasta cooking water in the microwave or on the stove top. Then pour and spread this sauce over the top of the cake.
  • Refrigerate for 12 hours or overnight. Bring your Umbrian sweet pasta cake to room temperature before slicing and serving!
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Nutrition

Calories: 468kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 12gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.001gCholesterol: 0.2mgSodium: 188mgPotassium: 356mgFiber: 7gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 8IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 91mgIron: 4mg
Keyword authentic Italian pasta recipe, chocolate pasta, dessert pasta, sweet pasta
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

If you are interested in learning how to make homemade pasta and different types of gnocchi, check out my shop page for some great video online courses from my friends in Rome! Nothing beats learning to make pasta from Italians! Plus while you’re there why not order a copy of one of my pasta recipe cookbooks or checkout some recommended pasta making tools?


More Sweet Pasta Recipes

  • Sweet prune and fig ravioli in a bowl.
    Ravioli Dolci (Italian Sweet Ravioli)
  • Heart-shaped chocolate ravioli.
    Heart-shaped chocolate ravioli.
  • Neapolitan ricotta and pasta pie (pastiera Napoletana)
    Neapolitan Ricotta and Pasta Pie (Pastiera Napoletana)
  • cinnamon butter gnocchi carnival recipe from Veneto
    Cinnamon Butter Gnocchi: Recipe from Veneto

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 18 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Donna Toly says

    December 18, 2022 at 9:26 pm

    I'm so excited to find your recipe. My Nona made a very similar recipe every year for my Mom's birthday treat that was Christmas Eve. After our feast of the 7 Fishes we all looked forward to our Mom's birthday treat of the Chocolate Noodles. To this day my son's ask for the Chocolate noodles for our Christmas Eve dinner. My recipe is more like a chocolate pasta salad not a cake.
    My recipe is as follow:
    1 # Rigatoni Noodles
    1 cup of chopped walnuts
    16 oz. Hershey milk chocolate bar - melted
    1 cup sugar
    1 Tbsp. cinnamon
    Boil water to a rolling boil, add noodles and cook about 12 minutes until tender. Melt chocolate in microwave about 2 minutes, add sugar cinnamon to bowl. Save about 1/2 c of pasta water before draining. Spool noodles into bowl of melted chocolate, add grated nuts, sugar, cinnamon and fold all ingredients until completely covered. Add a little water if needed. Cover bowl and chill overnight. Bring to room temperature before serving. Stir before serving.

    Reply
  2. Tee says

    April 19, 2022 at 8:53 am

    What do you suggest as substitute for walnuts? I want to try but no walnuts available in my area

    Reply
    • Jacqui says

      April 20, 2022 at 1:04 pm

      Dear Tee, I guess you can replace the walnuts with a number of other kinds of nuts such as hazelnuts, pecans or almonds. Do let me know how this pie turns out if you make it.

      Reply
  3. Katie says

    November 04, 2021 at 9:14 pm

    This sounds so unusual. I simply must try it!!

    Katie xoxo

    Reply
  4. Alexis says

    November 04, 2021 at 8:26 pm

    This recipe is so unique but tastes amazing. Thank you for sharing your recipe.

    Reply
  5. Natalie says

    November 01, 2021 at 11:49 am

    Pasta in a cake? Oh wow, that's really something quite new for me. I think I never heard of this nor taste it. But I will now. I'm all about trying new things. Plus this cake looks delicious.

    Reply
  6. Elaine says

    November 01, 2021 at 12:57 am

    You just don't stop surprising me with all the pasta recipes that you've got up your sleeve. This sweet walnut pasta is such a unique recipe.

    Reply
  7. Megan Ellam says

    October 31, 2021 at 11:12 pm

    Wow! I had not seen this before. Thanks for the most interesting recipe I have seen this week.

    Reply
  8. Ramona says

    October 31, 2021 at 11:04 pm

    This recipe looks super interesting and delicious! I cant wait to give this a go. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
  9. silvia says

    October 31, 2021 at 5:32 pm

    This is the first time I see sweet pasta and I'm totally intrigued by it. The Alchermes liquor sounds amazing with those spices I love so much. I'm going to start looking for it.

    Reply
  10. Chandice Probst says

    October 31, 2021 at 4:19 pm

    I am obsessed with this! We love using our own homemade gluten-free pasta too!

    Reply
  11. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says

    October 31, 2021 at 3:22 am

    WOW what an incredibly unique and delicious recipe! I'm loving that this is unlike any other pasta recipe I've seen. So creative and comforting on a chilly weekend!

    Reply
  12. Amy Liu Dong says

    October 30, 2021 at 4:03 pm

    It looks delicious, and I am glad to add this to my recipe book.

    Reply
  13. Leslie Sawmiller says

    October 30, 2021 at 3:50 pm

    I am so intrigued by this sweet pasta recipe! I've never heard of anything quite like it. I'm a huge pasta fan so I've definitely got to try it!

    Reply
  14. Stine Mari says

    October 30, 2021 at 8:20 am

    I have never had anything like this before and I didn't really know what to expect, but I actually love it! So much creamy texture!

    Reply
  15. Lauren Michael Harris says

    October 30, 2021 at 1:27 am

    Just when I thought I couldn't love pasta anymore than I already do! This chocolate walnut dish is amazing!

    Reply
  16. Sophia says

    October 30, 2021 at 1:13 am

    What a unique recipe! Since everything you make is so delicious, I couldn't wait to try this and it didn't disappoint! Plus, it's a showstopper for parties and a great conversation piece. Can't wait to make again!

    Reply
  17. Kacie Morgan says

    October 28, 2021 at 2:01 pm

    I've never tasted any kind of sweet pasta before, but I'd love to give this a go - chocolate and walnut sounds like a wonderful pairing.

    Reply
  18. Jere Cassidy says

    October 26, 2021 at 9:11 pm

    This is only the second sweet pasta recipe I have seen, and this one has chocolate in it. YUM!

    Reply
  19. Amanda Dixon says

    October 25, 2021 at 11:48 pm

    What a fun idea! I've never had a sweet pasta, but it looks so rich and decadent. Will definitely have to add this to the holiday dessert table!

    Reply
  20. Gloria says

    October 25, 2021 at 5:21 pm

    Well this is a first for me. I have never heard of a sweet pasta recipe. I am totally intrigued by this pasta dish.

    Reply

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Buon giorno and welcome to my pasta project! My name is Jacqui. I’m originally a Londoner but in 2003 life’s journey brought me to the beautiful Veneto region of Italy where…

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