For the past two years she has added it to the commercial offerings of her microbakery business, The Bicycle Baker.

Panforte is a traditional Italian dessert containing fruits, nuts and spices, dating back to 13^th century Siena.

Ms Bruce said panforte – which meant strong bread due to its spicy flavour – was a firm family favourite.

Together with bakery co-worker and husband Tim Alexander, Ms Bruce said they had often made slabs of panforte at Christmas time to carve up as gifts for friends. Watch how she makes it. 

“The first time I tried it, Tim’s mum had brought some to us for Christmas,” she said.

“Later we had it in Italy; in Florence it’s made as a round cake and we have photos of it stacked high up in the bakery windows.”

Ms Bruce said she used Australian-grown dried fruit where possible and couverture chocolate and cocoa powder. 

“It tastes great with tea or wine and even to take with you while exercising,” she said.

“It’s great bike-riding food or for hiking because it’s so dense you only need a small slice.”

The Bicycle Baker will make its last deliveries before Christmas on December 22.

Its panforte is available from The Essential Ingredient and The Chocolate Labrador in Albury.