Schiacciata Fiorentina is a delightful sweet bread from Florence, traditionally enjoyed during the Carnival season. Its light, fragrant crumb infused with orange and vanilla makes it perfect alongside coffee or as a festive dessert. This soft, rectangular cake, dusted with sugar and cacao in the shape of Florence’s lily, is simple to prepare yet visually stunning, ideal for both celebrations and casual baking adventures.
Why You Will Love the Schiacciata Fiorentina Recipe
This Florentine Carnival cake offers more than just tradition; it brings comfort, elegance, and simplicity to your table.
- It’s incredibly easy to make with simple pantry ingredients.
- The orange zest and vanilla give it a fresh, fragrant flavor.
- It’s light and fluffy, making it perfect for both dessert and breakfast.
- The fleur-de-lis cocoa stencil makes for an eye-catching presentation.
- It pairs beautifully with coffee, tea, or a glass of Vin Santo.
Ingredients You Will Need
This recipe utilizes everyday pantry staples to achieve a rustic yet elegant result.
- 300 g all-purpose flour
- 300 g sugar
- 150 ml milk
- 150 ml vegetable oil (or olive/groundnut oil)
- 3 eggs
- Zest and juice of 1 orange
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (or vanilla sugar)
- 16 g baking powder
- Pinch of salt
How to Make Schiacciata Fiorentina
Let’s transform these ingredients into a beautiful cake.
Step 1: Prep Batter
Whisk the eggs and sugar until pale. Add the oil, milk, orange zest, juice, and vanilla, then sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until smooth and well combined.
Step 2: Bake
Pour batter into a buttered rectangular baking pan. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 30 minutes, until golden and a skewer inserted comes out clean. Cool thoroughly.
Step 3: Decorate
Dust with icing sugar. Use a fleur‑de‑lis stencil and sprinkle cocoa powder to imprint the Florentine lily design on top.

Schiacciata Fiorentina
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk eggs and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add oil, milk, orange zest and juice, and vanilla. Sift in flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until smooth.
- Pour the batter into a buttered rectangular baking pan. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 30 minutes, or until golden and a skewer inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely.
- Dust with icing sugar. Place a fleur-de-lis stencil on top and sprinkle cocoa powder over it to reveal the Florentine lily design.
Notes
Serving Tips for Schiacciata Fiorentina
Brighten up your presentation and flavor with these tips:
- Serve warm, sprinkled with a dusting of extra orange zest for added freshness.
- Add a dollop of whipped cream or chantilly between halves for a more decadent treat.
- Pair with espresso or sweet dessert wine to complement citrus notes.
- Garnish plates with candied orange slices for added elegance and a pop of color.
Nutritional Benefits of Schiacciata Fiorentina
While it’s a dessert, Schiacciata Fiorentina offers some upsides. This cake provides protein from eggs and milk, as well as healthy fats from oil. Oranges add vitamin C, antioxidants, and a delightful citrus note. With moderate sugar, it provides energy without being overly sweet. Made with vegetable oil rather than butter or lard, it’s a lighter option than traditional Carnival cakes.
Conclusion
Schiacciata Fiorentina is a charming taste of Tuscany, aromatic, elegant, and simple to prepare. It blends festive flair with everyday ease. Whether for Carnival or casual baking, it’s a treat that’s sure to impress and delight.