National Biscotti Day Date in the current year: September 29, 2024

Biscotti, also known as cantucci, are Italian cookies that originated in Prato, Tuscani. In the modern Italian language, the word biscotto (plural biscotti) is used to refer to any kind of cookie, and the specific biscuit that is called biscotti in the rest of the word is referred to as cantuccio (plural cantucci or cantuccini) or biscotto di Prato. Although the world biscotti is plural in Italian, it is generally used as singular in other languages.

The first mentions of biscotti date back to the 17th century, but the first documented recipe of the dessert dates about a century later. The recipe for biscotti alla genovese is recorded in one of the manuscripts written by Amadio Baldanzi, an Italian priest and physician. The manuscript can be found in the State Archives of Prato. Following the rediscovery of the original recipe, Antonio Mattei, a pastry chef from Prato, created the modern recipe for biscotti. He presented his pastry at the International Exposition of 1867 in Paris, where his creation won a special mention.

According to the traditional recipe, biscotti dough contains no fat in any form, be it oil, butter or milk, and no leavening agents. Its principal ingredients are flour, eggs, sugar, pine nuts, and almonds. Another special thing about biscotti is that they are twice-baked, which gives them their signature dry and crunchy texture. The barely wet dough is shaped into a log, baked, left to cool, and then cut into elongated slices that are baked again until crisp and golden.

Modern variations of the recipe can include butter, nuts other than almonds and pine nuts such as hazelnuts or pistachios, as well as baking powder, various spices (anise, cinnamon, vanilla), chocolate chips, dried fruit, unsweetened cocoa powder (in chocolate biscotti), orange zest, and flavorings such as almond extract or liqueur. Once cooled after being baked for the second time, the biscotti may be dipped in chocolate.

Since biscotti are very dry, they are usually eaten by dunking them in a drink. In Italy biscotti are often served for dessert, accompanied by Vin Santo, a white dessert wine that originated in Tuscany. In Catalonia, similar cookies named carquinyolis are also served with sweet dessert wine such as muscat. Outside of Italy, biscotti are usually accompanied by black tea or coffee. They are also delicious when dunked in milk or orange juice.

How to celebrate National Biscotti Day? The easiest way would be to add a biscotti or two to your regular coffee order. You can also bake your own biscotti at home; start with the basic recipe if you’ve never made biscotti before or experiment with flavors if you already have some baking experience. Remember that everything – including biscotti – tastes better when shared with a friend and don’t hesitate to promote the holiday with the hashtags #NationalBiscottiDay and #BiscottiDay.