Pan di sapa

Sapa is a rustic Sardinian cake made with grape syrup (sapa)—a thick syrup made by cooking and reducing grape juice. The cake was traditionally made in fall and winter when fresh grape syrup would be available following the grape harvest.

It is often prepared for special occasions, such as All Saints Day or Christmas. Varieties of this fragrant cake are found across Sardinia, and recipes often include different ingredients. The basic version usually consists of grape syrup, flour, eggs, milk, raisins, and baking powder.

It often includes nuts, primarily hazelnuts or walnuts, spices such as cinnamon, a splash of liquor like Marsala or grappa, dried fruit, or citrus zest. Sapa is usually baked in round cake tins, and it is commonly decorated with a drizzle of grape syrup and rainbow sprinkles.