A Florentine biscuit, Florentine or Florentin is a crisp, crumbly caramel biscuit studded with cherries and glace fruits. The underside of the biscuit is usually coated with chocolate.

Florentins: History

The exact origin of the Florentine biscuit unknown but researchers argue that the crumbly biscuit could have originated in Florence, Italy. However, another legend states that the lacy biscuit could have originated in Austria where they are still prepared and served with tea. Another popular legend states that the cookie was created at the court of King Louis XIV of France. The delicate lacy cookie was created in his Versailles Palaces to honor a state visit by the Medicis of Florence.

Florentine Biscuit Recipe: Ingredients Used and Preparation Overview

The Florentine biscuit recipe has not changed much with time. Butter, sugar, and corn syrup are melted together and blended with flour, glace, fruit peel and cherries. This hot paste is then spread on a baking tray and baked to form thin lacy biscuits, which upon cooling down, are coated with a thick layer of dark chocolate at the base.            

Serving and Eating Florentins

Florentine biscuits are very rich and they are usually served with tea or as snacks. The crumbled biscuits are also used as a garnish on top of puddings. In Italy, the biscuits are used as a sandwich to hold jams, ice creams, and whipped cream together to form a dessert.

Florentine Biscuit Recipe Variations

• In Italy, a local version called the Fiorentini is prepared and served with tea or coffee as a snack.
• Copate or copate fiorentini is prepared by using honey, sugar, almonds, walnuts and egg whites to make a thick syrup. This syrup is then sandwiched between two fiorentini wafers to make a thick bar.
• Cenci or Rags florentine cookies are called by the same name but they are prepared in a completely different manner. The cookie dough is prepared by mixing flour, sugar, eggs, butter and orange peel. Individual pieces are then broken off and deep fried to make the cookies.
• Austrian Florentines (Echte Florentiner) are the same cookies prepared in Austria. However, most Austrian recipes prefer to use heavy cream to produce a denser cookie.

Florentine Biscuit: Health and Nutrition Facts

A single serving of Florentins contains 40 calories. The total fat content is 2.4g, the total carbohydrate content is 3.8g and the total protein content is 0.8g.