Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Favara Easter Almond Lamb - A Sicilian Sweet Worth Celebrating
A beautifully crafted Sicilian Easter speciality from Favara, made with almond and pistachio paste. A charming centrepiece that tastes every bit as delightful as it looks.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 1.4 kg icing sugar
- ✓ 1 kg pistachios
- ✓ 1 kg almonds
- ✓ 500 ml water
📊 Nutritional Information
Every region of Sicily has its own way of celebrating Easter, but Favara’s almond lamb - the agnello pasquale - is something truly special. Crafted from a soft, fragrant almond paste and enriched with pistachio at its heart, it’s a showpiece dessert that feels both nostalgic and quietly luxurious.
In Sicily, this lamb isn’t merely a sweet: it’s a symbol of festivity, of generosity, and of the island’s extraordinary tradition of artisanal confectionery. Preparing it at home invites a little Mediterranean sunshine into your kitchen and fills it with the comforting aroma of nuts and sugar syrup coming together in the most delightful way.
Whether it’s destined for the centre of your Easter table or a thoughtful homemade gift, the Favara almond lamb is a gentle reminder of how food connects us to stories, places, and people we love.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Blanch the almonds and pistachios separately, then drain and dry them thoroughly.
- 2
Grind each into a fine, even flour.
- 3
In a small saucepan, bring 700 g of icing sugar and 250 ml of water to the boil to make a syrup.
- 4
Remove from the heat and stir in the almond flour until you have a smooth, compact paste. Repeat the process with the pistachios.
- 5
Line the Easter lamb mould with a 1 cm layer of almond paste.
- 6
Fill the centre with the pistachio paste, then seal with another layer of almond paste, gently pressing to compact.
- 7
Leave the lamb to rest and firm up in the mould for several hours, then turn out carefully.
- 8
Decorate as you like with icing sugar, glaze, or small touches of coloured paste to bring your lamb to life.
💡 Tips and Variations
For a more aromatic finish, add a few drops of almond extract or a pinch of vanilla to the mixture. You can also dress the lamb with sugar bows or pastel ribbons if you’d like it to take pride of place on an Easter table.
📦 Storage
- • Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat.
- • Wrap in cling film or food-safe paper to keep the texture soft.
- • Keeps well for up to 2–3 weeks.
🍷 Pairing
Enjoy this Favara almond lamb with a glass of Moscato from Pantelleria - its velvety sweetness and notes of honey and dried fruit pair beautifully with the almond and pistachio.
More than just a sweet, the Favara Easter almond lamb is a tender tribute to Sicilian craftsmanship and festive joy. Its delicate flavours and charming appearance bring a touch of Sicilian warmth to any Easter celebration.
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