Soft Cantucci (Crispy Cookies)

To prepare these delicious candied fruit bars, we start by gathering all the necessary ingredients. We need 3 large eggs, 150 g of sugar, a pinch of salt, 100 g of butter, 200 g of flour, a teaspoon of vanillin, and 5 heaping teaspoons of candied fruit. It is important that all ingredients are at room temperature to achieve a homogeneous and easy-to-work dough.

In a large bowl, we use a mixer to beat the 3 eggs together with the sugar and a pinch of salt. We continue mixing until the mixture becomes frothy and whitens, which will take about 5-7 minutes. Then, we add the melted butter, but let it cool slightly, and continue mixing to incorporate it into the mixture. It is essential that the butter is not too hot, otherwise it will cook the eggs.

The next step is to sift the flour together with the vanillin. This will not only aerate the flour but also ensure an even distribution of the vanilla flavor. We gradually add the flour, mixing with a spatula or wooden spoon, until all the flour is incorporated and the dough becomes homogeneous. It is important not to overmix, as this could make the bars tough.

Once the dough is ready, we add the finely chopped candied fruits. These can be cherries, oranges, apricots, or any other seasonal fruits you like. We carefully mix to avoid crushing the candied fruit, wanting to keep the beautiful shapes in the dough.

We preheat the oven to 180°C (355°F) and prepare a baking tray, which we line with parchment paper. It is recommended to grease the paper with a little butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking. Using a spoon, we take portions of the dough and shape them into bars. I made two bars, but you can adjust the size to your preference.

We place the tray in the oven and bake the bars for 30-35 minutes, or until they become slightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once ready, we remove the tray from the oven and let the bars cool in the tray for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wooden board to cool completely.

Once cooled, we cut the bars diagonally, thus obtaining crunchy cookies known as cantucci. This is the perfect time to arrange them on an elegant platter, and if you like, you can dust them with a little powdered sugar for a more festive look. This dessert is perfect to be served alongside a coffee or aromatic tea. Enjoy!