Classic Biscotti Recipe – 4 Ways

Ingredients

Classic Biscotti

  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into 4 pieces
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract use 1 teaspoon if adding almond or anise extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract or anise extract optional
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup white whole wheat flour*
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • turbinado sugar coarse sugar, optional

Chocolate Biscotti

  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into 4 pieces
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour*
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup chopped almonds or walnuts optional

Almond Biscotti

  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into 4 pieces
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup white whole wheat flour*
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chopped almonds
  • turbinado sugar coarse sugar, optional

Cranberry Orange Biscotti

  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into 4 pieces
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • zest of 1 orange about 1 tablespoon
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup white whole wheat flour*
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • turbinado sugar coarse sugar, optional

Instructions

Classic Biscotti

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy.
  • Add the eggs and vanilla extract. If you would like to add almond extract or anise extract, add it now. Mix until well combined.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and mix on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a ball and then use your hands to shape each ball into a log that is about 8 inches long.
  • Place the logs on the prepared baking sheet. Use your hands to flatten the dough logs until they are about 3/4-inch thick. Gently press the sides and ends of the logs to even them out and flatten them.
  • If desired, sprinkle the logs with turbinado sugar.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden and the center of the logs is almost firm and bounces back when touched.
  • Let the logs cool on the baking sheet for 30 minutes.
  • Use a sharp knife to cut the logs into biscotti shape, on the diagonal. Press straight down with the knife, rather than sawing.
  • Place the biscotti, cut side up, on the baking sheet. Bake for 12-16 more minutes, until dry. The centers of the cookies will be slightly soft and will crisp as they cool.
  • Store biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months.

Chocolate Biscotti

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy.
  • Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, all purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and mix on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Mix in the chocolate chips and nuts, if using.
  • Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a ball and then use your hands to shape each ball into a log that is about 8 inches long.
  • Place the logs on the prepared baking sheet. Use your hands to flatten the dough logs until they are about 3/4-inch thick. Gently press the sides and ends of the logs to even them out and flatten them.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden and the center of the logs is almost firm and bounces back when touched.
  • Let the logs cool on the baking sheet for 30 minutes.
  • Use a sharp knife to cut the logs into biscotti shape, on the diagonal. Press straight down with the knife, rather than sawing.
  • Place the biscotti, cut side up, on the baking sheet. Bake for 12-16 more minutes, until dry. The centers of the cookies will be slightly soft and will crisp as they cool.
  • Store biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months.

Almond Biscotti

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy.
  • Add the eggs, almond extract and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and mix on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Stir in the chopped almonds.
  • Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a ball and then use your hands to shape each ball into a log that is about 8 inches long.
  • Place the logs on the prepared baking sheet. Use your hands to flatten the dough logs until they are about 3/4-inch thick. Gently press the sides and ends of the logs to even them out and flatten them.
  • If desired, sprinkle the logs with turbinado sugar.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden and the center of the logs is almost firm and bounces back when touched.
  • Let the logs cool on the baking sheet for 30 minutes.
  • Use a sharp knife to cut the logs into biscotti shape, on the diagonal. Press straight down with the knife, rather than sawing.
  • Place the biscotti, cut side up, on the baking sheet. Bake for 12-16 more minutes, until dry. The centers of the cookies will be slightly soft and will crisp as they cool.
  • Store biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months.

Cranberry Orange Biscotti

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy.
  • Add the eggs, vanilla extract and orange zest. Mix until well combined.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and mix on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Mix in the dried cranberries.
  • Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a ball and then use your hands to shape each ball into a log that is about 8 inches long.
  • Place the logs on the prepared baking sheet. Use your hands to flatten the dough logs until they are about 3/4-inch thick. Gently press the sides and ends of the logs to even them out and flatten them.
  • If desired, sprinkle the logs with turbinado sugar.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden and the center of the logs is almost firm and bounces back when touched.
  • Let the logs cool on the baking sheet for 30 minutes.
  • Use a sharp knife to cut the logs into biscotti shape, on the diagonal. Press straight down with the knife, rather than sawing.
  • Place the biscotti, cut side up, on the baking sheet. Bake for 12-16 more minutes, until dry. The centers of the cookies will be slightly soft and will crisp as they cool.
  • Store biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months.

Notes

*You may replace the 1 cup of white whole wheat flour with 1 cup of all purpose flour.

*You may sprinkle turbinado sugar (coarse sugar) on the logs before baking for a pretty sparkle.

*You can dip your cooled biscotti in melted chocolate. Refrigerate chocolate dipped biscotti for a few minutes to help the chocolate harden.

Recipe courtesy of Kristine’s Kitchen