Biscotti, the Italian twice-baked cookie, is known for its crisp texture and perfect dunking ability in coffee or tea. With its versatility, you can experiment with flavors, spices, and add-ins to create your perfect biscotti. Here are seven delightful biscotti recipes to inspire your next baking adventure.
1. Classic Almond Biscotti
A traditional favorite, these almond biscotti are crunchy, slightly sweet, and bursting with the flavor of toasted almonds.
Ingredients:
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 100 g sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 120 g whole almonds (toasted)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, vanilla, and almond extracts.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Gently fold in the toasted almonds.
- Shape the dough into a log about 30 cm long on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden. Let it cool slightly, then slice into 1.5 cm wide pieces.
- Place the slices back on the baking sheet and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until crispy.
2. Chocolate-Dipped Biscotti
For a luxurious treat, these chocolate-dipped biscotti are perfect. The deep chocolate coating adds a rich contrast to the crunchy base.
Ingredients:
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 100 g cocoa powder
- 120 g sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 100 g dark chocolate (for dipping)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Whisk the eggs and vanilla extract in a separate bowl.
- Mix the wet and dry ingredients together to form a dough.
- Shape the dough into a log and bake for 25-30 minutes until firm and golden. Let it cool slightly before slicing.
- Return the slices to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes for crispiness.
- Melt the dark chocolate and dip the ends of each biscotti into the chocolate, then place them on parchment paper to set.
3. Hazelnut and Orange Biscotti
The combination of hazelnuts and orange zest makes these biscotti aromatic and flavorful, with a perfect balance of nutty richness and citrus freshness.
Ingredients:
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 120 g sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange
- 100 g hazelnuts (toasted)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Whisk the eggs and vanilla extract, then add the zest of the orange.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients to form a dough.
- Stir in the toasted hazelnuts.
- Shape the dough into a log and bake for 25-30 minutes until firm and golden.
- Slice into 1.5 cm wide pieces and bake again for 10-15 minutes to crisp up.
4. Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti
This festive combination of cranberries and pistachios creates a vibrant and flavorful biscotti perfect for the holiday season or a special treat.
Ingredients:
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 120 g sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100 g dried cranberries
- 100 g pistachios (shelled)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Whisk the eggs and vanilla extract together, then add to the dry ingredients.
- Fold in the cranberries and pistachios.
- Shape the dough into a log and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.
- Slice the biscotti into 1.5 cm wide pieces and bake again for 10-15 minutes to crisp up.
5. Lemon Almond Biscotti
Bright and zesty, these lemon almond biscotti are a refreshing take on the classic, with a tangy citrus twist.
Ingredients:
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 120 g sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 120 g almonds (toasted)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Whisk the eggs, vanilla extract, and lemon zest in a separate bowl.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients, then fold in the toasted almonds.
- Shape the dough into a log and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.
- Slice into 1.5 cm pieces and bake again for 10-15 minutes to crisp up.
6. Coffee and Walnut Biscotti
These biscotti combine the rich flavor of coffee with the crunch of toasted walnuts, making them a perfect pairing for your morning coffee.
Ingredients:
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 100 g sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp instant coffee (dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water)
- 100 g walnuts (toasted)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Whisk the eggs and dissolved coffee together and add to the dry ingredients.
- Fold in the toasted walnuts.
- Shape the dough into a log and bake for 25-30 minutes until firm and golden.
- Slice into 1.5 cm wide pieces and bake again for 10-15 minutes for crispiness.
7. Maple Pecan Biscotti
Sweet maple syrup and toasted pecans come together to create a biscotti that is rich, nutty, and perfect for fall or winter baking.
Ingredients:
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 120 g sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 100 g pecans (toasted)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, vanilla extract, and maple syrup.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients and fold in the toasted pecans.
- Shape the dough into a log and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.
- Slice into 1.5 cm wide pieces and bake again for 10-15 minutes to crisp up.
Biscotti are a versatile treat that can be easily customized to your liking. From the classic almond to adventurous combinations like coffee and walnut or maple pecan, there’s a biscotti recipe here for everyone. So, grab your ingredients and start baking!