This post appeared first in October 2020 on Italian Kitchen Confession and this is the updated version.
Classic Almond biscotti are the most traditional biscotti recipe that is famous not only in Italy but all over the world. I have to confess that these recipe brings sweet and bitter memories to my mind. The bitter ones are related to the fact that in all Italian airports these classic Italian cookies are nicely wrapped in boxes or tin, making it a perfect tourist gift to bring back home. But for me it has usually been the contrary because I am leaving Italy to go wherever I lived over the past 15 years. I am happy about what I chose, but at times I wish I could share these cookies more often with my parents!
The sweet memory is related to the very first years I dated Rob, who became my husband. I have to confess that first time I baked this traditional Italian biscotti recipe, it was for Rob, my husband. He was already familiar with this type of cookies. Still, I could sense that he was not entirely satisfied. So we had one of our long conversations about cookies and biscotti and the differences between American and Italian cookies, and in the meantime, we devoured all the biscotti…so probably they were quite good :).
Why you will love this recipe
-This authentic recipe requires only a few ingredients. Simple ingredients are the base of delicious Italian food and these almond biscotti recipe are a classic example.
–This is the Italian biscotti recipe we use in Italy, but you can customize it to your personal preference and create your own family recipe everyone will love.
-These classic almond biscotti are a sweet treat without the guilt, thanks to a lower sugar content and the absence of butter. The result is a crunchy texture that is simply delicious. Italian biscotti are in fact made with no butter to obtain a crunchy texture that will become slightly tender when you soak it into a cup of espresso or a glass of Vin Santo.
What is Cantucci?
Cantucci or biscotti di Prato are classic cookie recipe from Tuscany. is the plural of the word cantuccio, which means a small piece, and it was used to identify the last bit of bread. Cantucci, also called cantuccini, resemble in fact, slices of bread. These cookies contain eggs, flour, sugar, and baking powder that are all mixed, and whole almonds are then folded in. They are cooked into a log, then once they cool down, they are cut in slices and baked for the second time, in fact they are baked twice. Biscotti literally means twice (bis) cooked (cotti), the word “biscotti” is also the common word we use to refer to other kinds of cookies in Italian. American instead used the term biscotti to refer the singular long twice baked Italian cookie.
The word biscotti is derived from the Latin biscoctus, meaning twice baked or cooked. The dough in fact is shaped into logs, baked for the first time, cooled, cut into sliced and then baked again.
Italian Classic Almond biscotti (cantucci) Ingredients & Variations
To make this twice-baked cookies you will need:
Flour: I use Italian 00 flour. It’s the finest grade of flour milled in Italy. It is perfect for baking as it tolerates temperature up to 500°F. You may replace the 00 flour with all-purpose flour. If you are gluten intolerant , use gluten-free flour. If you prefer to add nutrients use 50% white flour and 50% whole wheat flour or spelt flour.
Baking powder: just a tiny tiny will help the dough rising.
Salt: It is essential as it enhances the flavor.
Sugar: This recipe uses granulated white sugar. You will want to beat the sugar with the eggs until pale.
Eggs: You will need two large whole eggs for this recipe. The eggs are combined with the sugar. The mixture might look a bit curdled, this is ok. When you mix in the flour everything will get incorporated.
Vanilla extract: My basic biscotti recipe uses vanilla extract. You may also add almond extract or anise extract, which are both classic biscotti flavors.
Citrus Zest: I add some lemon zest into the wet ingredients. You can sub it with orange zest.
Almond: the Italian traditional recipe uses almonds. I use raw unblanched almonds. and I mix them in after I combined wet and dry ingredients. You can sub almond with:
–different nuts such as: pistachios, hazelnut, walnuts or pecan.
–dry fruit: cherries, cranberries, raisins.
– chocolate: dark chocolate chips, white chocolate chips. Or you can dip them in chocolate too!
– you can also add different spices to the dry ingredients: cinnamon, all-spice, cardamon.
How to make Italian Classic Almond biscotti (cantucci)
This recipe yields around 25 cookies, if you want to make a double batch, simply double the qty of the recipe.
The process is very easy easy: Make dough, form it into a log, and bake. Let is cool, then cut in slices on the diagonal with a serrated knife and bake again. Done!
I highlighted below the full detailed process, including pictures.
Start by switching the oven to 350° F (180°C). First you will beat together the sugar and two large eggs in a large bowl. Next you’ll add vanilla. If you are using other extracts, such as almond extract, mix them in now. This is also when you will want to add citrus zest such as orange or lemon zest.
In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ones and mix until combined.
Finally, stir in any mix-ins the almonds in this case, or any other ingredients you want to use.
For this quantity you can shape the dough into a log shape. Place the logs on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Press down with your hands to flatten the logs, you want them to be 3/4-inch thick to ensure even cooking. You can also use your hands to smooth and flatten the edges of the dough logs. Position oven rack in the middle of the oven and bake the dough logs for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees, until they are lightly golden. The center will be slightly soft.
Be sure to let the baked biscotti logs cool 30 minutes before slicing. If you slice them when they are too warm, the cookies will crumble. At this point lower the oven temperature to to 325°F (175°C).
Place log on a cutting board. Slice the logs on the diagonal, pressing a sharp serrated knife straight down into the dough. Place the cookies back on the baking tray, cut side up. Slicing at a greater angle will result in longer cookies, and less of an angle will produce smaller biscotti. Bake the biscotti a second time, for 12-16 minutes, until golden brown and crisp. Your biscotti are ready!
Tips suggestions to make the best Italian almond biscotti
-Use room temperature eggs. This will help the eggs to disperse better once you mix them with the flour.
-Beat eggs and sugar until very fluffy and pale yellow. This is a step you don’t want to skip. It will make the biscotti tender, fluffy, and the perfect consistency for baking again.
-If the dough is too sticky to handle after the wet ingredients have been added, mix in a small amount of flour until the dough can be handled.
– In this recipe I made one log only, if instead you want to make a bigger batch double the qty and make 2 logs.
– If you want to make smaller cookies, divide it into 2 logs.
-Butter or no butter? Butter will make your cookie more fragrant and soft. Avoiding butter will give you drier, crispier and crunchier cookie. If you really want to add butter, use just one ounce. Trust me, crispy biscotti is the way to go!
-Be sure to let the baked biscotti logs cool for about 30 minutes before slicing them to prevent your biscotti from crumbling.
More Italian dessert recipes for you
Traditional Italian Tiramisu Recipe
Santa Lucia short bread cookies
Strawberry Tart with Mascarpone Cream
Serving suggestions for Classic Italian Almond Biscotti
While cantucci are the perfect cookies for dunking it in hot coffee or hot chocolate, the traditional way to enjoy them is with Vin Santo. Usually, they are an after-meal treat and since they are not utterly sweet, the pairing with a glass of sweet wine is the perfect complement.
How to store Cantucci
Cantucci or biscotti last longer than any other butter based cookies. This is also why these homemade biscotti make make a wonderful gift idea, especially during the holiday season. You can store them in an air-tight container or a cookie tin box for up to a month.
Which wine to pair with Classic Italian Almond Biscotti (Cantucci)
The most popular pairing for Cantucci is with a glass of Vin Santo. Vin Santo is a Tuscany sweet dessert wine with notes of vanilla and caramel. The nutty flavor of the cantucci echoed well with the wine.
Other sweet wine recommendations are Moscato d’Asti, from Piemonte or Passito di Pantelleria, from Sicily. If instead, you want to try an Italian red sweet wine, try Recioto della Valpolicella, a wine from Veneto, with notes of cherries.
If you try this recipe and you liked it, please leave a star review below! I would be very appreciative of your comments! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @Italian_kitchen_confessions I hope you loved it! To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.
Ingredients
- 2¼ cup flour all-purpose
- ¾ cup sugar caster
- 2 units eggs
- 1 tsp zest of lemon grated
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup almonds whole, blanched
Instructions
- Start by preheating the oven at 350°F (180°C). Cover baking tray with parchment paper.
- First you will beat two large eggs and the sugar. Next you’ll add the vanilla. If you are using other extracts, such as almond extract, mix them in now. This is also when you will want to add citrus zest such as orange or lemon zest.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until combined.
- Finally, stir in any mix-ins the almonds in this case, or any other ingredients you want to use.
- For this quantity you can shape the dough into a log shape (see notes). Place the logs on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Press down with your hands to flatten the logs, you want them to be 3/4-inch thick to ensure even cooking. You can also use your hands to smooth and flatten the edges of the dough logs.
- Position oven rack in the middle of the oven and bake the dough logs for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees, until they are lightly golden. The center will be slightly soft (see notes). At this point lower the oven temperature to to 325°F (175°C).
- Place the cooked log on a cutting board. Slice the logs on the diagonal, pressing a sharp knife straight down into the dough (see notes).
- Place the cookies back on the baking tray, cut side up. Bake the biscotti a second time, for 12-16 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.
- Your cookies are now ready!
Notes
- Slicing at a greater angle will result in longer cookies, and less of an angle will produce smaller biscotti.
Nutrition
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Gustosissimo!