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Naples is best recognized for its mouthwatering pizzas than for desserts, however there’s one Neapolitan pastry particularly that I’m relatively keen on. Babà, additionally known as rum babà or babbà, originated in Poland, however these rum-soaked sponge muffins grew to become certainly one of Naples’ sweetest specialties.
Stanislaus Lesczynski, an 18th-century Polish king, by accident spilled rum on a conventional dessert, inventing what we now know as babà. The king’s daughter married into the French royal household in Versailles, and shortly after, French cooks picked up the recipe and made their solution to Campania. From there, the remainder is historical past!
Under, you’ll discover my picks for the perfect spots to take pleasure in babà in Naples, a few of which you will even go to throughout my Naples meals excursions.
Pasticceria Tizzano 1960 di Valentina Tizzano
Picture credit score: Pasticceria Tizzano 1960 di Valentina Tizzano
I’d walked previous Pasticceria Tizzano a number of occasions throughout my first few visits to Naples when coming to and from the prepare station. For much too lengthy, I’d unknowingly been lacking out on a few of the tastiest babà in Naples.
Not solely are their pastries the stuff of legend, however the setting itself here’s a deal with for the eyes. The smooth inexperienced partitions, opulent chandeliers, and glowing cake shows make it really feel so refined and stylish.
If I’m trustworthy, all the pieces on provide right here appeared unimaginable, however the babàs are an absolute should. I went for one of many crammed varieties and selected the limoncello-infused choice.
It was served at room temperature and drenched in a caramel-like rum syrup that coated the moist sponge cake mendacity inside. The thick lemon filling was beautiful, because the zingy flavors from the liqueur made the pastry cream really feel mild and refreshing.
Pasticceria Tizzano 1960 di Valentina Tizzano – Through Aquila, 155, 80143 Napoli NA, Italy – Open each Monday to Saturday from 7:00 am to eight:30 pm, and each Sunday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Leopoldo Cafebar – Senza Glutine
Picture credit score: Leopoldo Cafebar – Senza Glutine
Leopoldo Cafebar lies simply exterior the historic heart and is the place to go for gluten-free babà in Naples.
Whereas the pale pink partitions and shiny black finishes make this bakery appear far out of your typical pasticceria, many of the baked treats on provide are quintessentially Neapolitan.
I got here right here on the lookout for a basic rum babà, however my plans shortly modified after I set my sights on the strawberry and cream-topped selection. It’s not every single day you see this variation on provide, so I jumped on the probability to attempt it out.
Admittedly, I used to be anxious this wheatless different can be slightly dry, nonetheless it was something however. The cake itself was tender and ethereal whereas the syrup was sharp and citrusy. As I anticipated, the tart strawberries and sugary, silky cream made every chew much more gratifying and flavorsome.
Leopoldo Cafebar – Senza Glutine – P.za Cavour, 78/79, 80137 Napoli NA, Italy – Open each Monday to Thursday from 7:30 am to 10:00 pm, Friday and Sunday from 7:30 am to 12:00 am, and each Saturday from 7:30 am to 1:00 am.
Scaturchio
Picture credit score: Scaturchio
Scaturchio has places everywhere in the metropolis, and this explicit chain of bakeries has been serving the individuals of Naples for over a century. I’ve solely made it to the Porto retailer up to now, but when the others are something like this trendy spot, I’ll little question be simply as keen on the opposite branches.
Whereas the shopfront is busy and bustling, the pastry cooks are onerous at work crafting rum babàs out again. Right here, they mix lively dry yeast with bread flour and canopy every cake in liqueur-based syrup earlier than putting the combination into molds.
The outcomes of their efforts are fantastically displayed in retailer, and I picked up some to workforce with certainly one of their frothy cappuccinos.
Identical to how the candy milk and bitter espresso balanced one another out, so too did the punchy rum coating and buttery cake combination. Every chew boasted hints of vanilla, orange, and apricot, giving it a zesty kick.
Scaturchio – P.za S. Domenico Maggiore, 19, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy – Open every single day from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Mary’s Sfogliatella
Picture credit score: Mary’s Sfogliatella
Mary’s Sfogliatella is perched inside a full of life pocket of Galleria Umberto I within the Quartieri Spagnoli district. Don’t make the error I initially did by overlooking this fashionable however compact stall for its bigger counterparts, because the babàs listed here are among the many greatest in Naples.
Like most locations on this refined buying hub, Mary’s Sfogliatella is stylish and polished, occupying a tiny nook underneath an old-school cover. Don’t be shocked to discover a line right here, however equally, don’t let it put you off from making an attempt the fare right here!
Although the identify of this bakery would lead you to imagine that sfogliatella is their specialty, I believe their rum babàs are the place they actually shine.
I assumed they principally caught to conventional babàs, however I used to be elated to identify some pistachio-imbued choices after I reached the highest of the queue. It had all of the necessities of a tasty babà, however the sleek, nutty filling was unimaginable, reworking it into an much more indulgent snack.
Mary’s Sfogliatella – Galleria Umberto I, 66, 80132 Napoli NA, Italy – Open every single day from 8:00 am to eight:30 pm.
Pasticceria Mignone
Picture credit score: Pasticceria Mignone
Pasticceria Mignone is a real gem within the vibrant Rione Sanità neighborhood. It’d look slightly out of the way in which once you test it out on the map, but it surely’s most positively price getting out of the town for.
The wealth of muffins and confections right here is staggering, and the pleasant employees was readily available to speak me by means of all the completely different treats obtainable.
I went for the basic, filling-free rum babà. As partial as I’m to the quirky, up to date takes on these delights, typically stripping it again to the fundamental recipe is greatest.
This allowed me to completely recognize the delicate flavors of the fluffy sponge cake and fruity hues from the sticky rum syrup. Every chew was extra scrumptious than the final, as the refined flavors and chewy texture have been distinctive.
Pasticceria Mignone – P.za Cavour, 145, 80137 Napoli NA, Italy – Open every single day from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Sfogliate e Sfogliatelle
Picture credit score: Sfogliate e Sfogliatelle
There’s no method I may have put collectively this checklist with out mentioning Sfogliate e Sfogliatelle in Pendino, residence to a few of the best babà in Naples. This workforce of pastry cooks could be revered for his or her sfogliatella, however their rum babàs are my private favorites.
It’s a comparatively chilled-out spot, however the purple carpet entrance and retro touches make it really feel slightly upmarket. Their collection of baked items right here is smaller than in most pasticcerias, however all the pieces they provide is of the best high quality.
Like many individuals, I first got here right here for the sfogliatelle. Nevertheless, I left with a large to-go field of their rum babàs after I sampled one with a shot of their intense and oh-so-chocolatey espresso!
From the second I attempted the rum-covered crust and tender, brioche-like sponge, I used to be hooked. The syrup they used had notes of dried fruit and gentle vanilla, bringing out floral and saccharine undertones.
Sfogliate e Sfogliatelle – Through S. Gregorio Armeno, 24, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy – Open every single day from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Conclusion
Though historically loved on Sundays or throughout particular events, babà in Naples is on the market any day of the week in most pastry retailers. If you happen to’re something like me, you’ll be dreaming of those Neapolitan babàs lengthy after you’ve left the town!
