Bonet Piemontese

Ingredients:

  • 200 g Amaretti cookies, save 6 or more for decoration
  • 6 tbsp (42g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 4 whole large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1-1/2 (300g) granulated sugar, divided
  • 1/8 tsp kosher or sea salt
  • 2 tbsp amaretto, rum, cold coffee or 1 tsp vanilla

Method:

  • Preheat oven to 325F
  • Pulverize the amaretti cookies using a food processor or in a bag with a rolling pin
  • In a saucepan combine 3 tbsp of water and 3/4 cup (150g) of granulated sugar. Gently stir to moisten as much of the sugar as possible.
  • Turn on the heat to medium-low and bring the sugar to a bowl without stirring.
  • Watch mixture carefully and when it turns a light amber colour remove from heat and turn into the bottom of a loaf pan
  • Gently tilt the pan so that the caramel covers the entire bottom of the pan
  • In a large bowl, place the eggs and egg yolk and stir in the remaining 3/4 cup (150g) sugar and whisk to combine
  • Sift and add the cocoa powder and salt to the bowl with the egg mixture; whisk thoroughly
  • Add the crushed amaretti and chosen flavouring and whisk to combine
  • Slowly whisk in the milk
  • Place the loaf pain in a larger pan (9×13 or so) for the preparation of a water bath
  • Pour the Bonet mixture into the loaf pan
  • Fill the larger pan with very hot water up to 3/4 of the height of the loaf pan
  • Bake for 1-1/2 hours, covering with foil halfway through
  • The Bonet is done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean
  • Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the loaf pan
  • Cool completely on a cooling rack
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight

To Serve:

  • Run a knife around the perimeter of the Bonet.
  • Invert onto a serving dish and drizzle with any remaining caramel from the loaf pan
  • Garnish with amaretti cookies