It is said that the Spongata is the most ancient sweet of Italy. Also in the “Satyricon” by Petronius there is a mention to a cake with the same ingredients. The recipe was born in the Benedectine monastery of Brescello in 1480. Along with the Biscione of Reggio Emilia, the spongata was – and it is even now – one of the typical Christmas sweets. The shortcrust pastry holds together the honey, almonds, pine nuts and raisins, flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. The name spongata comes from “sponga” (sponge), because of its spongy surface.