MONTALCINO, Italy — This Tuscan hill town is known for its Brunello di Montalcino wine, which seems to be sold in every other shop tucked into 14th-century buildings that line the narrow cobblestone streets. But it’s also famous for panforte (literally “strong bread”) a unique Italian cake made with candied fruits, honey, and nuts.

The bakery that celebrates panforte is easy to miss. There’s no display window, just plain glass and double wooden doors with “Pasticceria” painted inside the door frame. The sign proclaiming “Pasticceria Gelateria Mariuccia, i buoni dolci Montalcinesi Laboratorio” (Bakery Gelataria, good Montalcinese sweets, laboratory), on the wall above the door, is a good 3 feet above eye level.