The secrets of Canestrelli Biellesi to discover

What are Canestrelli Biellesi?

Canestrelli Biellesi are delicious typical sweets from Piedmont, originating from the Biella area. They are cookies made of two thin rectangular wafers filled with a soft chocolate cream. Their shape is unmistakable: two rectangles measuring about 9x4.5 centimeters, weighing about 15 grams each, enclosing a tasty and fragrant heart. These cookies represent an authentic symbol of Biella's pastry tradition and are appreciated for their fragrant consistency and balanced taste.

Where do Canestrelli Biellesi come from?

Canestrelli Biellesi originate from the Biella area, a land of hills, woods, and artisanal traditions. They are a Piedmontese specialty that dates back centuries and is now produced both by artisanal pastry shops and local confectionery companies. Each workshop keeps small secrets passed down through time, making each version slightly different and unique.

What is the historical origin of Canestrelli Biellesi?

The origin of Canestrelli Biellesi dates back to the Seventeenth century. Already in the 1600s, these cookies were prepared in noble houses and monasteries in the area. The oldest testimony is found in a manuscript preserved in the Royal Library of Turin, dated 1805 and titled "Notice sur l'arrondissement de Biella, département de la Sésia". The document mentions Canestrelli as an "excellent pastry based on chocolate, esteemed and sent to various cities". This shows how appreciated and widespread they were beyond the borders of Biella.

How are Canestrelli Biellesi prepared?

The recipe for Canestrelli Biellesi involves two crunchy and light wafers made with wheat and corn flour, sugar, butter, eggs, salt, and a pinch of leavening powders. The dough is rolled out into thin rectangles and cooked on special plates that imprint the characteristic surface lines. After cooking, the wafers are filled with a chocolate cream, sometimes enriched with chopped hazelnuts or almonds, and then paired together. The result is a cookie that is crumbly on the outside and creamy on the inside, perfect for those who love traditional yet refined sweets.

What ingredients make Canestrelli Biellesi unique?

The main ingredients are few but carefully selected: soft wheat flour, corn flour, sugar, butter, eggs, salt, and yeast. Some master pastry chefs also add natural vanilla, spices, or a splash of rum, which give an intense aroma and an even richer flavor. The chocolate filling can be simple or enriched with local Piedmontese dried fruit, such as hazelnuts from the Langhe or toasted almonds, which enhance the taste and texture of the cream.

What do Canestrelli Biellesi look like?

Canestrelli Biellesi have a rectangular shape and a slightly ribbed surface, similar to that of ice cream wafers but thicker and crumblier. Inside, they hide a soft chocolate cream that melts in the mouth, creating a delicious contrast between crunchiness and sweetness. Each cookie weighs about 15 grams, and the aroma of butter and chocolate is immediately recognizable.

What are the variations of Canestrelli Biellesi?

Although the classic version has a chocolate filling, there are variations that include creams based on hazelnuts, almonds, or even white chocolate. In some pastry shops in Biella, you can also find versions flavored with rum or vanilla, designed to enhance the delicacy of the wafer. Each area or pastry chef tends to add a personal touch while maintaining the traditional structure that distinguishes these cookies.

How are Canestrelli Biellesi served?

Canestrelli Biellesi can be enjoyed alone, accompanied by a coffee or a glass of sweet wine like Moscato d'Asti. They are also perfect with tea or hot chocolate during the winter months. They are often served in small gift packages, ideal as a gastronomic souvenir from Piedmont. Their elegant shape and delicate flavor make them perfect for any occasion, from afternoon snacks to traditional celebrations.

What is the secret of their goodness?

The secret of Canestrelli Biellesi lies in the simplicity and quality of the raw materials. The use of local flours, fresh butter, and high-quality chocolate ensures an authentic and natural taste. Moreover, the double wafer gives the cookie a unique consistency: crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Some pastry chefs let the cookies rest for a few hours before serving them, so that the cream perfectly blends with the wafer, making every bite irresistible.

What role do Canestrelli play in Piedmontese gastronomic culture?

Canestrelli Biellesi represent a sweet heritage of Piedmont and embody the artisanal spirit of the region. They are a perfect example of Piedmontese pastry tradition, which for centuries has combined simple ingredients with refined techniques. Like other typical sweets, Canestrelli tell a story made of families, shops, and a passion for good cooking. In every bite, there is a piece of Biella's history, a connection to the territory and its roots.

Where can you buy authentic Canestrelli Biellesi?

Those who visit Biella and its valleys can find the original Canestrelli in historic pastry shops and artisanal laboratories. Some local producers package them in decorative boxes that tell the story of the cookie, making them perfect as gifts or souvenirs. They can also be found at typical markets and food and wine fairs in Piedmont, where producers offer tastings accompanied by local wines and liquors.