Classic Biscotti Recipe (2024)

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Biscotti are traditional Italian almond cookies that have delighted taste buds for centuries. These delightful treats are twice-baked, resulting in a crisp and crunchy texture that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea.

Classic Biscotti Recipe (1)

We all know I am a coffee person. I drink it morning, noon, and night if I could (and I have). I know other coffee drinkers can relate with me when it comes to their morning coffee rituals. That first sip of coffee in the morning is heaven. And what makes it even better is when I have something sweet to go along with it.

Going with the traditional coffee traditions, nothing beats biscotti with your coffee. Homemade biscotti has a crispy, crunchy, mild sweet flavor. Not the jaw breaking commercial biscotti that you find in the stores. It can be a little daunting and intimidating to make at first but it’s really not that bad! And once you master a classic biscotti recipe, you can try your hand at other flavors.

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Tips for Making Classic Biscotti

Biscotti, the iconic Italian almond cookies, are a delightful treat loved by many. To achieve the perfect balance of crunchiness and flavor, follow these essential tips that will help you become a biscotti-baking maestro:

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Use Quality Ingredients: Since biscotti recipes are relatively simple, the quality of ingredients plays a significant role in the final outcome. Choose fresh, high-quality almonds, pure vanilla extract, and organic eggs for the best results.

Toast Almonds for Enhanced Flavor: To bring out the full nutty flavor of the almonds, toast them lightly before adding them to the dough. Spread the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until they become fragrant and slightly golden.

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Master the Double-Baking Technique: The hallmark of biscotti is the double-baking process that gives them their characteristic crunch. After the first bake, let the biscotti cool slightly before slicing them. Then, bake them again to achieve the desired crispy texture.

Don’t Overbake: While you want your biscotti to be crispy, avoid overbaking them, as they can become too hard and difficult to bite into. Keep a close eye on the second bake and remove the biscotti from the oven as soon as they are dry and lightly golden.

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Cool Thoroughly: Allow the biscotti to cool completely on a wire rack after the second bake. This will help them firm up and achieve the ideal texture. If you want them to be extra crispy, you can leave them out overnight to continue drying.

Experiment with Flavors: While traditional almond biscotti are delicious, don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different flavors. Try adding ingredients like chocolate chips, dried fruits, citrus zest, or spices like cinnamon or anise for exciting variations.

Store Properly: To keep your biscotti fresh and crunchy, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last for several weeks if properly stored. If you live in a humid climate, you can extend their shelf life by storing them in the refrigerator or freezer.

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Perfect Pairings: Biscotti are delightful on their own, but they truly shine when paired with a hot beverage. Enjoy them dipped in coffee or tea for a traditional Italian experience.

Classic Biscotti Recipe

Classic Biscotti Recipe (7)

Classic Biscotti Recipe

Classic Biscotti Recipe (8)

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 3 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tbs baking powder
  • 1 tbs anise extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, beat together the oil, eggs, sugar and anise flavoring until well blended. Combine the flour and baking powder, stir into the egg mixture to form a heavy dough. Divide dough into two pieces. Form each piece into a roll as long as your cookie sheet. Place roll onto the prepared cookie sheet, and press down to 1/2 inch thickness.
  3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on a wire rack. When The cookies are cool enough to handle, slice each one crosswise into 1/2 inch slices. Place the slices cut side up back onto the baking sheet. Bake for an additional 6 to 10 minutes on each side. Slices should be lightly toasted.

Baking biscotti is a delightful journey that combines the art of traditional Italian baking with the pleasure of experimenting with various flavors.

Classic Biscotti Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making biscotti? ›

12 Tips For Making The Absolute Best Biscotti
  1. Use room-temperature ingredients. ...
  2. Boost the flavor with spices, extracts, and zest. ...
  3. Toss in some add-ins for flavor and texture. ...
  4. Let the dough chill before shaping. ...
  5. Use floured or greased hands to shape the dough. ...
  6. Shape the dough into a smaller loaf than you want.
May 29, 2023

What are traditional biscotti made of? ›

The base of a traditional biscotti recipe is simple: eggs, flour, and sugar. From there, the possibilities are endless for all the delicious variations you can make. With a slight change in add-ins, you can easily transform the flavor to align with what you're in the mood for.

Is biscotti better with oil or butter? ›

Despite their centuries-old heritage, there is no one perfect way to make biscotti. Some recipes call for eggs only, which is the traditional method, while others swear by butter or oil. The choice is yours; just keep in mind that those made with butter or oil will have both a softer texture and a shorter shelf life.

What is the difference between American and Italian biscotti? ›

Here it is, a biscotti recipe everyone can enjoy — unlike classic Italian biscotti, which are quite hard, these are light and crunchy. Biscotti bake twice rather than once, and thus take a bit longer start-to-finish than normal drop cookies.

Should you refrigerate biscotti dough before baking? ›

Because the dough can be sticky and hard to form, it's important to chill the batter for a good 30 minutes before baking the first time. Prepare a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper then dust it with a little flour. Transfer the batter to the baking sheet and chill in the fridge.

What does baking soda do in biscotti? ›

Baking soda – baking soda helps the biscotti rise and spread. Make sure that your baking soda isn't expired. Sugar- we used granulated sugar for this recipe. You can use caster sugar as well.

Are biscotti healthier than cookies? ›

In terms of health regular cookies are a high-calorie treat because of their higher moisture content, which also causes them to contain more fats and sugars. However, because of their drier texture, biscotti usually have lower fat and sugar content. However, it is vital to practice portion control, for both options.

How long will homemade biscotti last? ›

How Long Does Biscotti Last? Your homemade biscotti will last for up to one month in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep the biscotti longer, you can freeze it for up to three months.

What's the difference between biscotti and cantuccini? ›

The main difference between Cantucci and Biscotti is their origin, Cantucci is from Tuscany, and Biscotti is from the region of Emilia-Romagna. Cantucci is typically made with almonds, while Biscotti are made with all-purpose flour and a variety of nuts and chocolate or nothing.

What do Italians eat biscotti with? ›

Since they are very dry, biscotti traditionally are served with a drink into which they may be dunked. In Italy, they are typically served as an after-dinner dessert with a Tuscan fortified wine called Vin Santo. Outside of Italy, they more frequently accompany coffee, including cappuccinos and lattes, or black tea.

What is the difference between biscotti and biscotto? ›

The answer requires a bit of context: in Italy, all cookies are called "biscotti" - it's the direct translation of the word "cookies". In a world where every single cookie is called a biscotto (the singular form of the word) there needs to be a word for what we know to be biscotti.

What do Italians call biscotti? ›

Italians use the word biscotti when referring to products that Americans call cookies. The word cantucci is used by Italians when referring to the product Americans call biscotti.

Why do my biscotti crumble when I cut them? ›

A: Overbaking the logs of dough during the first baking can make the slices crumble as you are cutting them. Also, even if the logs of dough are perfectly baked, they will crumble if they are sliced while still warm, so be patient. The logs crumble when you use a dull knife, too.

How do you keep homemade biscotti crispy? ›

How to Store Biscotti: Maximize Crunch & Prevent Soft Biscotti. To store biscotti, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature. Lining the container with a paper towel will help soak up any excess moisture that finds its way in.

What method is commonly used to achieve the desired light-airy texture in biscotti? ›

To make these cookies, start by whipping eggs and a couple of extra egg yolks together with sugar, vanilla, and almond extract. This step is key to making biscotti that are crisp but not hard. Get the mixture very pale, thick, and airy. All that air will help lighten the biscotti.

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