Homemade Tuscan Cantucci with almonds. The only rule? You must dip them in Vin Santo wine! (Trad: Cantucci toscani fatti in casa con mandorle

by CiaoToscana

2 Comments

  1. Meancvar

    Vabbè in caso di emergenza pure il Passito.

  2. CiaoToscana

    As promised, here is the recipe! Remember: traditional Cantucci are hard because they are designed to be dipped in **Vin Santo** (sweet wine) to soften them up.

    **🛒 Ingredients:**

    * **500g (4 cups) Flour (00)**
    * **250g (1 ¼ cups) Sugar**
    * **250g (1 ½ cups) Almonds** (Unpeeled! Don’t toast them beforehand)
    * **3 Whole Eggs + 1 Yolk**
    * **50g Butter (melted)** – *Optional, but I recommend it for texture.*
    * **Lemon Zest** (from 1 organic lemon)
    * **1 tsp Baking Powder**
    * **Pinch of Salt**

    **👨‍🍳 Method:**

    1. **Mix:** Whisk eggs, sugar, and lemon zest until frothy. Pour in the melted butter.
    2. **Combine:** Sift flour and baking powder, then add to the wet mixture.
    3. **The Crunch:** Add the whole almonds and mix. The dough will be sticky (don’t worry!).
    4. **First Bake:** Form 2 long logs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush with egg wash. Bake at **190°C (375°F)** for **20 minutes**.
    5. **Cut:** Remove from the oven, let cool for 5 mins. Cut diagonally into 1.5cm slices.
    6. **Second Bake (Bis-cotto):** Lay slices flat and bake again at **160°C (320°F)** for **10-15 mins** to dry them out.

    **📝 Full Recipe & Notes:** You can find the printable version and step-by-step photos on my blog: [**https://www.ciaotoscana.it/cucina-toscana/cantucci-o-biscotti-di-prato-ricetta-originale-toscana/**](https://www.ciaotoscana.it/cucina-toscana/cantucci-o-biscotti-di-prato-ricetta-originale-toscana/)

    *(****Note:*** *The website is currently in* ***Italian****, but I am working on the full* ***English translation*** *right now! In the meantime, your browser’s auto-translate works perfectly. Thanks for your patience!)*