Cantuccini: Classic Tuscan Biscotti Recipe - Italian.Food.com (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between biscotti and cantucci? ›

The main difference between Cantucci and Biscotti is their origin, Cantucci is from Tuscany, and Biscotti is from the region of Emilia-Romagna. Cantucci is typically made with almonds, while Biscotti are made with all-purpose flour and a variety of nuts and chocolate or nothing.

Despite their centuries-old heritage, there is no one perfect way to make biscotti. Some recipes call for eggs only, which is the traditional method, while others swear by butter or oil. The choice is yours; just keep in mind that those made with butter or oil will have both a softer texture and a shorter shelf life.

Biscotti can be either the traditional Italian type which is very crunchy and intended for dunking in coffee, tea, or wine. Or they can be the softer American type, eaten like any cookie. The Italian type keeps longer and has no butter, so they are much lower calorie and very low fat.

'biscuits') or cantucci ( Italian: [kanˈtuttʃi]) are Italian almond biscuits that originated in the Tuscan city of Prato. They are twice-baked, oblong-shaped, dry, crunchy, and may be dipped in a drink, traditionally Vin Santo. Versions with smaller pieces are known as biscottini or cantuccini.

Unlike many traditional cookies, biscotti are often lower in fat and sugar. Add some heart healthy nuts and you have a satisfying and relatively light treat! This delicious cookie can easily be made vegan & vegetarian friendly.

Italians use the word biscotti when referring to products that Americans call cookies. The word cantucci is used by Italians when referring to the product Americans call biscotti.

In the US, we typically enjoy our biscotti dipped into espresso, but in Italy, it's also traditional to dip them into a glass of good Vin Santo after a meal.

Baking soda – baking soda helps the biscotti rise and spread. Make sure that your baking soda isn't expired. Sugar- we used granulated sugar for this recipe. You can use caster sugar as well.

As they do in Tuscany, you can dip your biscotti into rich red wines, especially those on the sweeter side. Marsala wine and Vin Santo are the wines of choices for dipping. Most connoisseurs on either side of the pond agree that dipping biscotti into a sweet Italian wine is the perfect end to a hearty Italian meal.

Should biscotti dough be chilled before baking? ›

Because the dough can be sticky and hard to form, it's important to chill the batter for a good 30 minutes before baking the first time.

Biscotti was originally made as a”long-shelf-life” food (very dry and containing no fats) for travelers and was carried by the Roman Legions to battle. Today's biscotti are a far cry from the original, and have become a popular accompaniment to espresso, cappuccino and a in its classic varieties with Vin Santo.

Traditionally, Tuscans serve cantucci after a meal with Vin Santo, a sweet dessert wine that perfectly complements the not-too-sweet cookie. The cookies also pair well with rich coffee or herbal tea for a delicious afternoon pick-me-up.

In Italy, they are either referred to as 'cantucci', or 'cantuccini', meaning 'little cantucci'. Cantuccini is sometimes used to mean smaller cantucci, or cantucci made with non-traditional ingredients like chocolate chips or pistachios, but these two names are often used interchangeably.

The Tuscan answer to biscotti, these twice-baked almond cookies are extra crunchy. In Toscana, cantucci are traditionally dunked in Vin Santo, sweet dessert wine – but they are also perfect for dunking in coffee or tea.

Traditionally, Tuscans serve cantucci after a meal with Vin Santo, a sweet dessert wine that perfectly complements the not-too-sweet cookie.

And "biscotti" is a bloody plural. Singular is "biscotto".

While I rather like the name of my blog, I am aware of a problem with it, and that is in the very word biscotti. First of all, the strict answer to the question “When is a biscotti not a biscotti?” is “never”, because in Italian “biscotti” is a plural word, meaning biscuits, while the singular is “biscotto”.