Canestrelli Delicious Italian Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (2024)

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Canestrelli are a wonderfully delicious Italian Cookie, an almost shortbread type cookie but with a crunch, fast and easy. The perfect afternoon tea cookie. A touch of Lemon makes them irresistible.

Canestrelli Delicious Italian Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (1)Canestrelli

I have returned to Italy and of course I am missing all my family and friends, especially my eldest Daughter that unfortunately I didn’t see nearly enough.

She is off on adventures of her own and is now living in Vancouver (this was 2 years ago and now she is back in Toronto!) for the time being. So we only had a few days together.

Although we did have a great time and now we look forward to her visit back home.

Naturally with the return to your home that was mainly kept up by the Italian, well you can imagine what I came home to! To tell the truth it wasn’t as bad as I had imagined.

At least the dog, the cat and the plants were still alive.

Canestrelli Delicious Italian Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (2)

Needless to say I have a to do list the length of my arm, starting with grocery shopping. So while I was shopping I of course noticed the difference between Canadian aisles and the Italian store aisles. Yeah big difference.

While checking out the cookie aisle (believe me that aisle kept me staring forever in Canada) I noticed how unstuffed the cookies tend to behere. The lack of cream, chocolate, caramel, marshmallows etc.

The very basic cookie, from breakfast cookies to snack cookies with this delicious Canestrelli front and centre. These cookies are sold year round but are very popular at Christmas.

And yeah I actually like the basic ones better. Because sometimes less is more!

Canestrelli Delicious Italian Cookies

Canestrelli Delicious Italian Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (3)

More Italian Cookies you may enjoy!

Pizzicati Italian Cookies

Canestrelli Delicious Italian Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (4)

Wine Cookies – Ciambelle al Vino

Canestrelli Delicious Italian Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (5)

Abbracci – Italian Hugs Cookies

Canestrelli Delicious Italian Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (6)

Traditional Italian Breakfast Cookies

Canestrelli Delicious Italian Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (7)

I decided to make these Canestrelli, which are one of my favourites! This is a simple crunchy but an almost melt in your mouth cookie delight. The dough comestogether in minutes especially if you use your Food Processor.

What are the ingredients in Canestrelli?

They are made with butter, powdered sugar and hard-boiled egg yolks.Yes that’s right, egg yolks, strange right? That’s what I thought, but I was told this helps make them crumbly, which is what we want.

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Canestrelli Delicious Italian Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (8)

Canestrelli are originally from Monferrato which is in the region of Piedmont in Northern Italy. If you are looking for a tasty, yummy Italian Cookie why not give these a try.

Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee or just when you want a cookie. Enjoy!

Canestrelli Delicious Italian Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (9)

Cookies should be kept in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Canestrelli Delicious Italian Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (10)

Canestrelli Delicious Italian Cookies

Rosemary Molloy

Canestrelli a wonderfully delicious Italian Cookie, an almost shortbread type cookie but with a crunch, fast and easy. The perfect afternoon tea cookie.

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

chilling time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Italian

Servings 60 cookies

Calories 38 kcal

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all purpose flour (130 grams)
  • 1/2 cup + 1 1/2 tablespoons powdered sugar (75 grams)
  • pinch salt
  • 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons corn starch (100 grams)
  • 2/3 cup cold butter cut into pieces* (150 grams)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 hard boiled egg (use just the yolks)
  • zest 1/2 lemon

*I use salted butter if you use unsalted add 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

    Instructions

    • Place eggs in a pot and cover with cold water, heat until boiling, then remove from heat and let sit 8-10 minutes. Place under cold water. Remove shell when cooled, separate the white from yolk and mash just the yolk part, well with a fork.

    • In a food processor whisk together flour, sugar, salt, corn starch and zest, then add cold butter and vanilla, pulse a few times to mix, add egg yolks and pulse until almost combined, move to a lightly floured flat surface and knead gently until combined. Wrap in plastic wrap or parchment paper and refrigerate for at least an hour or two or even overnight.

    • Pre-heat oven to 335° (170° celsius). Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

    • Remove dough from fridge, on a lightly floured flat surface, start with rolling out half the dough to 1 centimeter thickness and cut with a small to medium size flower cookie cutter, using a straw or any small round hole cutter**, cut a hole in the middle of the flower. Place cut out flowers on prepared cookie sheets and bake for approximately 12 -14 minutes, cookies should not brown. Let cookies rest 5 minutes then move to wire racks to cool, then dust with powdered sugar. Enjoy!

    **I used a small pastry tip.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 38kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 3mg | Vitamin A: 75IU | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg

      Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!

      Updated from September 2, 2016.

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      Canestrelli Delicious Italian Cookies Recipe - An Italian in my Kitchen (2024)

      FAQs

      What is the most popular Italian cookie? ›

      Most Popular Italian Cookies
      • Amaretti. These lovely almond-flavoured biscotti were supposedly first made during the Middle Ages. ...
      • Ricciarelli. ...
      • Baci di dama. ...
      • Chocolate-Pistachio Biscotti. ...
      • Savoiardi. ...
      • Canestrelli. ...
      • Biscotti al Cocco. ...
      • Pizzelle.
      Oct 22, 2020

      What makes Italian cookies different? ›

      Italian sandwich cookies

      These sweet treats are made with a variation on a classic butter cookie. Unlike other cookie types, the thick cookie dough mixture is piped onto a cookie sheet to maintain its delicate shape. Then, the cookies are dipped in chocolate, sprinkles, nuts, or dried fruit.

      What cookie originated in Italy? ›

      Biscotti, also known as cantuccini or mandelbrot (Mandel bread), are traditional Italian cookies with a long history and rich cultural significance.

      What kind of cookies are in an Italian cookie tray? ›

      Our Classic Italian assortment is a great way to sample of our traditional sweets. This tray includes Cranberry Almond Biscotti, Amaretto Biscotti with Almonds, Chocolate Almond Macaroons and Pignoli Cookies.

      What is the most popular Italian cookie in the United States? ›

      Biscotti Amaretti is the most famous Italian cookie of all. Made without flour or any added fat this almond macaroon is light, crunchy and intensely almond.

      What is a popular Italian cookie? ›

      Amaretti cookies are a celebrated Italian classic known for their unique crunchy exterior and soft, almond-rich center. Often flavored with amaretto or almond extract, they offer a delightful taste experience. Amaretti di Saronno cookies come with an enchanting legend: Roll the cookie's wrapper.

      What kind of cookies do Italians eat? ›

      Grandma's traditional Italian cookie recipes are a family treasure. Bake up spumoni, pizzelle, biscotti and other heirlooms for the holidays or any time of year.

      What is an Italian cookie called? ›

      This is the proper name for the biscuit we know as biscotti, which in Italian just means “cookies.” Twice-baked and sliced, these ultra-crunchy, not-too-sweet biscuits are usually studded with nuts and simply beg to be dipped in coffee, tea, or a glass of vin santo.

      Why are Italian cookies yellow? ›

      Rainbow cookies originate in Italy, but Italian Americans added the color scheme to celebrate their heritage. The yellow layer used to be a white layer, so you'd have the Italian flag.

      What is the oldest cookie in the world? ›

      Pizzelles, the oldest known waffle cookies, originated in Italy. The name pizzelle is based on the Italian word 'pizze' meaning round and flat, with the ending 'elle' referring to its small size.

      What is the oldest cookie in history? ›

      Pizzelles are the oldest known cookie and originated in the mid-section of Italy. They were made many years ago for the “Festival of the Snakes” also known as the “Feast Day of San Domenico” in the village of Colcullo in the Italian region of Abruzzo.

      Do Italians have cookies for breakfast? ›

      Yes, please, or rather, si' grazie! And that's exactly what I eat in Italy, where a light breakfast of Italian croissant (called cornetto or brioche) or a few cookies dipped into frothy cappuccino or caffe' latte is customary.

      What is an Italian cookie that is dry crunchy and is twice-baked? ›

      Biscotti cookies are crispy, twice-baked Italian cookies known for their distinct oblong shape and crunchy texture. The dry, hard texture of the biscotti is perfect for dunking. In Italy, biscotti are often dipped in a dessert wine. Biscotti also pairs well with a cup of coffee, espresso, or a cappuccino.

      What is the word for hard Italian cookies? ›

      Named after its traditional method of cooking, biscotti are generally baked twice, rendering the rather dried out and hard version associated with the cookie. This is why biscotti are often served alongside an espresso or vin santo as dipping helps to soften the cookie's texture.

      Why are my Italian cookies flat? ›

      Explore the following reasons why cookies spread too much so you can achieve better results the next time you bake.
      • OVEN IS TOO HOT. ...
      • INGREDIENTS MEASURED INCORRECTLY. ...
      • BAKING SHEET IS TOO HOT. ...
      • BUTTER IS TOO SOFT. ...
      • BAKING SHEET IS OVER-GREASED. ...
      • DOUGH WASN'T CHILLED BEFORE BAKING. ...
      • DOUGH IS OVERMIXED. ...
      • BAKING SHEET WAS OVERCROWDED.

      What is the name of the Italian cookie? ›

      This is the proper name for the biscuit we know as biscotti, which in Italian just means “cookies.” Twice-baked and sliced, these ultra-crunchy, not-too-sweet biscuits are usually studded with nuts and simply beg to be dipped in coffee, tea, or a glass of vin santo.

      What is the number one selling cookie in the world? ›

      Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

      What are the popular Italian cookie brands? ›

      Traditional and Artisanal Brands like Lazzaroni, Sapori, Dolciaria Monardo, Chiostro di Saronno, or Corsini are known for their traditional Italian recipes and artisanal cookie-making approach. They often focus on classic Italian cookie names (think of Amaretti, Cantucci).

      What do Italians call their cookies? ›

      The answer requires a bit of context: in Italy, all cookies are called "biscotti" - it's the direct translation of the word "cookies".

      References

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