The warm aroma of butter, sugar and almonds make winter and the Christmas season even more wonderful. Moreover, gifting some homemade biscuits is a simple gesture that can evoke forgotten memories and flavours.

Cantucci, or Cantuccini are traditional Tuscan biscuits, usually served with Vinsanto. Originally from Prato, they were first made without the almonds that only made their way into the list of ingredients at the start of the XVIII century.

Cantucci, like Vinsanto, are a symbol of Tuscan hospitality, and at Vignamaggio, every guest leaves with a little packet of them, a small souvenir from us, to sweeten the journey.

Simple and delicious, Cantucci are a lovely, homemade Christmas gift.

WHAT YOU NEED

  • 300 g flour
  • 190 g sugar
  • zest of 1 lemon (or orange)
  • 2 eggs
  • 50 g butter
  • 16g baking powder
  • 120 g almonds
  • 5ml vanilla
  • 1 pinch fine salt

 

WHAT TO DO

Sieve the baking powder, vanilla and flour. Add the sugar, lemon zest, eggs and softened butter. Mix until well blended and then add the whole almonds. Roll into the length of the baking tray and about two cm wide. Bake for about 35 minutes in an oven preheated to 180 degrees.  Remove from the oven and cool slightly. While still a little warm, slice into rounds about 1 cm thick. Place the biscuits on a lined baking tray and back into the oven, preheated to 160°, for 15 minutes to toast them.  

Homemade Tuscan biscuits

THE WINE

For a perfect Christmas gift, we suggest to pair your homemade Cantucci with a bottle of our Vinsanto X.

Vinsanto Christmas Gift