Foodwise Tuscany is one of the best regions in Italy. From amazing “Schiacciata” (a flatbread drizzled with olive oil and sea salt crystals) to “Caciucco” (tomato & fish soup); from “Cantucci” (which I remade gluten free for you) and “Brigidini” (anise flavored sweet chips) to their delicious stews and infamous the “Pici” (thick, homemade spaghetti).
As you might know from my Instagram and Facebook, I was just in Florence and spent some amazing days enjoying the wonderful food and – when the gluten free alternatives weren’t available – simply getting inspired to recreate healthier versions of the treats I left my heart on.
One of these treats is definitely Cantucci, traditional Tuscan biscotti that are always served accompanied with Vin Santo, a deliciously sweet dessert wine that’s made from a blend of white grapes, harvested and then dried for three to six months.
In fact, as Cantucci are quite crispy and hard, they are better enjoyed soft, after being dipped in wine.
The traditional version is scattered with almonds, but Tuscan bakers freed their creativity and gave birth to tens of different varieties: from those covered with chocolate to the ones enriched with dried fruit.
While standard Cantucci feature wheat flour, butter and white sugar, this healthy gluten free recipe is also free from dairy and only uses a minimum amount of raw honey.
In fact, in order to keep these Cantucci allergy free, I opted for some delicious Turkish apricots and dried figs that add a touch of sweetness to these healthy biscotti and provide them with a full spectrum of flavors. If you feel like baking a more traditional version, thrown in a handful of almonds in the batter and… voilá! You’ll almost feel like being in Florence!
Enjoy the recipe, it’s as fun to make as it is to munch on!
Tuscan Style Gluten Free Cantucci
Preparation
time:
00:15
Cooking
time:
00:45
No. of
servings:
3
- 140 gr Rice Flour
- 50 gr Tapioca Flour
- 30 gr Rice Starch
- 12 gr Baking Powder
- 50 gr Raw Honey
- 3 Yolks
- 50 gr Zibibbo (or any other sweet wine)
- 5 dried Figs*
- dried Apricots*
- tbsp of Honey for dusting
NOTE: *You can replace dried fruit with a handful of almonds for a more traditional version of your gluten free cantucci.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Combine all dry ingredients (flours and baking powder) in a bowl and mix well.
- Pour honey, yolks and Zibibbo wine over the flours. Cut dried figs and apricots in small pieces, add them in the bowl and start kneading with your hands.
- Shape the dough into a stick loaf, heat up 1 tbsp of honey for a few seconds and use it to dust the top of the dough.
- Place your loaf on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and cook in a low oven for at least 20 minutes. When the surface starts to get golden, remove from the oven and, using a wide-bladed knife, cut the loaves obliquely into biscuits 1/4 in thick while they are still hot.
- Lay your Cantucci on the baking tray and put them back in the oven for 20-25 more minutes.
- Take them out and let them cool down completely until crunchy.
If you don’t feel like having wine, you can enjoy these gluten free Cantucci dipped in some freshly squeezed orange juice. That’s definitely another winner!
Let me know if you have any other traditional Italian desserts you would like me to recreate in a healthy version by leaving me a comment below.
Lots of love and I will catch you next time!
Ciao!
Ambra
P.S. For more healthy gluten free recipes, check out my EBook “Simple Italian Desserts Made Healthy“! Over 75 guilt free desserts are waiting for you!
This recipe was linked to “Gluten-Free Wednesdays”, “Buns in my Oven“, “Only Taste Matters“ and “Miz Helen’s Country Cottage“.
4 Comments
Cantucci is one of my favorties, wish I had one of these right now! Thanks for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great week and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Thanks Helen! These were awesome, so good to dip in wine or orange juice!!!
Hello Ambra, Love your recipe that is gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free, as we have several household allergies! Is there a good substitution for ‘rice starch,’ as we cannot get it here in Canada. Would potato or cornstarch work? If so, how much would it be? Thanks in advance and stay well, jannice.
Hi Janice! Yes, if you can’t find rice starch, you can definitely make these gluten free cantucci with corn starch instead. I prefer to use the former in case someone has a corn allergy or sensitivity, but they are interchangeable.
Ambra
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