Cavallucci di Siena — Hazelnut Spice Cookies, Masoni Pietro

Cavallucci di Siena are one of the oldest specialities of Sienese confectionery: soft spiced cookies made with hazelnuts, honey and spices, hand-crafted by Masoni Pietro of Siena following the original medieval recipe. Nothing like industrial biscuits — the texture gives it away: firm outside, soft and aromatic inside, with the deep fragrance of toasted hazelnuts.

🏛️ A Medieval Recipe Still Alive in Siena

Cavallucci were born in medieval Siena in the taverns and coaching inns where horses were changed on the trade routes. The original recipe was designed to last: honey as a natural preservative, spices for digestion, nuts for sustenance. They were the food of merchants and travellers, not nobility. Masoni Pietro preserves this heritage with the care a centuries-old Sienese tradition deserves.

📋 Product Details

☕ How to enjoy them

🍷 With dessert wine — the classic pairing Vin Santo Toscano or Vernaccia di San Gimignano passito. Cavallucci are traditionally enjoyed dipped in Tuscan dessert wine — this is how they have been eaten in Siena for centuries.

☕ With coffee A short espresso or macchiato. The spice notes and hazelnuts harmonise perfectly with the bitterness of coffee.

🍵 With tea Earl Grey or a spiced chai. Cavallucci are one of Italy's original "tea biscuits" — robust enough to pair with a strong brew.

🧀 With aged cheese Pecorino di Pienza or cave-aged Pecorino with a Cavalluccio and a drizzle of chestnut honey. The simplest and most effective Tuscan antipasto.

🎁 As a food gift Cavallucci are the quintessential Sienese Christmas biscuit — distinctive, hard to find outside Tuscany, and always a surprise for those who have never tasted them.

🛒 You might also like

🍪 Italian Amaretti Cookies — another Sienese speciality, almond-based, from the same artisan tradition. → https://www.salumeriatoscana.shop/en/products/italian-amaretti-cookies-almond

🎁 Tuscan Gift Baskets — combine the cavallucci with cured meats, cheese and other Tuscan sweets. → https://www.salumeriatoscana.shop/en/collections/tuscan-gift-baskets-hampers-buy-online

🍷 Pairing Guide

🚚 Shipping & Delivery

Cavallucci are a dry product — no refrigeration needed. Shipped in rigid protective packaging. Store in a cool, dry place after delivery.

Shipping days: Monday · Tuesday · Wednesday → delivery by Friday

🌍 Europe & UK

❓ FAQ

What are Cavallucci di Siena? Cavallucci are soft spiced cookies from Siena, made with honey, hazelnuts, candied fruit and spices. They date back to medieval Siena, where they were made in the taverns along the trade routes. They differ from Panforte in texture (softer, lighter) and from Ricciarelli in that they use nuts and spices rather than almond paste.

Are they a Christmas biscuit? Traditionally yes — Cavallucci senesi are the classic Sienese Christmas biscuit. However, Masoni Pietro produces them year-round: the spicing and soft texture make them enjoyable in any season.

How should I store them? In a cool, dry place away from light. Not in the fridge. Once opened, seal well and consume within 7–10 days to preserve the fragrance.

Do they contain gluten? The classic Cavallucci recipe contains flour. Always check the label for the full ingredient list and allergen information.

What is the difference between Cavallucci and Ricciarelli? Both come from Siena. Ricciarelli IGP are made from almond paste, flat and oval with icing sugar. Cavallucci are rounder, softer and spicier — made with honey, hazelnuts and spices. Different products, same ancient city.

❄️ How We Ship — Guaranteed Cold Chain

Our products travel in insulated packaging with dry ice — constant temperature throughout the entire journey, from our facility in Florence to your door.

When we ship:
We dispatch every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Delivery within 24/48h from dispatch. Orders placed from Thursday onwards are dispatched the following Monday.

🚚 Shipping Costs Italy:
Under €50 → €8.90 · From €50 to €120 → €4.90 · Over €120 → €3.90

🌍 Shipping Costs Europe (DE, FR, UK, AT, NL, SE, PL ...):
0–5 kg → €19.00 · 5–10 kg → €26.00 · Over 10 kg → €33.00

🧊 How to Store After Delivery

Vacuum-packed and unopened: Store in the fridge at 0–4°C. Always check the best before date printed on the label.

After opening: Consume within 5–10 days depending on the product. Cover the cut surface with food wrap and keep refrigerated.

For longer storage: Freeze immediately upon receipt. Defrost slowly in the fridge for 24 hours before consuming — never at room temperature.

📦 What's in the box:
Vacuum-packed product with label and best before date · Insulated packaging with dry ice · Tracked delivery with notification

✅ Our Guarantee — No Ifs, No Buts

If a product arrives damaged, in poor condition or different from what you ordered: take a photo and get in touch within 24 hours of delivery at info@salumeriatoscana.shop — we'll arrange a full refund or replacement straight away. No forms, no back and forth.

📧 info@salumeriatoscana.shop
📞 +39 339 879 4945

🏆 Why Salumeria Toscana — 5 Things You'll Only Find Here

1 — Direct artisan sourcing
We work exclusively with personally selected Tuscan producers. No middlemen, no third-party platforms — the product leaves Florence and arrives directly at your door.

2 — No artificial preservatives
The vast majority of our cured meats and cheeses are made without artificial preservatives. You'll always find it stated in the product description — not a marketing claim, it's simply the recipe.

3 — Certified origin
Chianina IGP, Pecorino Toscano DOP, Finocchiona IGP, Lardo di Colonnata IGP: European certifications are not decorative labels. They are guarantees of breed, geographical origin and production method, independently verified by third-party bodies.

4 — Over 3,000 satisfied customers
Average rating 4.85/5 from hundreds of verified reviews. Read them directly on the product page — unfiltered and unedited.

5 — Real people, real support
No chatbot. Whether you have a question before ordering, a concern after delivery, or you'd like a bespoke gift hamper — write or ring us. We get back to you.

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⭐ What Our Customers Say

"I've never eaten anything quite like it. Ordered a second time — even better than the first." — Rainer S.

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