There are few things that make a rainy autumn day more comforting than the smell of freshly baked cookies. Yesterday, while the rain softly tapped against the windows, we baked a batch of Cantuccini mit Nüssen — Tuscany’s famous crisp biscuits, meant to be dipped in Vin Santo or enjoyed with a steaming cup of coffee.
Cantuccini are one of Italy’s oldest sweet treats, dating back to the Renaissance. Originally made in Prato, near Florence, these biscuits were known for their long shelf life — perfect for travelers and soldiers. But for me, they’ve always been about slow moments: the pause between sips of coffee, a quiet conversation, or the smell that fills the kitchen while they bake.
Their secret charm lies in the bitter almond aroma — that distinctive, slightly nostalgic scent that instantly feels like home.
And because I can never resist adding a little twist, we mixed in three tablespoons of ground walnuts. It adds just the right amount of richness, balancing the sweetness and giving the biscuits a nutty depth that pairs beautifully with their golden crunch.
Ingredients (for about 60 biscuits):
- 300 g flour
- 180 g sugar
- 3 packs vanilla sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 pinch of salt
- 3 eggs (medium)
- A few drops of bitter almond aroma
- 150 g mixed nuts (we used almonds, hazelnuts & walnuts)
- 3 tbsp ground walnuts (our secret ingredient!)
- A little flour for shaping
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 200°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper
- Mix flour, sugar, vanilla sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Add eggs, bitter almond aroma, nuts, and ground walnuts. Knead by hand until the dough just comes together — it should be slightly sticky.
- Shape two logs (approx. 3 cm thick) and place them on the tray.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, then reduce oven to 140°C.
- Let logs cool slightly, cut diagonally into 2 cm slices, and bake again for 10 minutes until crisp and golden.
- Cool completely and store in an airtight jar — if they last that long!
Enjoy them as the Italians do - dipped in Vin Santo, or the way we love them at home with a warm cup of coffee while watching the rain. Because sometimes, happiness smells like toasted almonds and walnuts, with a hint of sweet nostalgia in the air.