Italian biscotti, also known as cantucci, are a classic Italian cookie that is twice-baked for a distinctive crunchy texture and a long shelf life. They are typically flavored with nuts, spices, and dried fruits, and are often served with a cup of coffee or tea. With so many variations of this traditional recipe, finding the best one can be a delightful adventure for home bakers. This article will explore some of the most popular Italian biscotti recipes, providing detailed instructions and helpful tips to ensure that you create the perfect batch of these delicious cookies. From classic almond biscotti to unique variations like pistachio cranberry or chocolate orange, there is sure to be a recipe that will satisfy your craving for this Italian delicacy.
Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!
ITALIAN BISCOTTI
A traditional biscotti recipe. Great for dunking in coffee or tea.
Provided by Bernie
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Yield 30
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F ( 165 degrees C ).
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add eggs one at a time; beat until fluffy. Stir in the anise and vanilla extracts. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; Add them to the egg mixture along with the chopped almonds. Stir with a spoon and as the dough comes together, Knead by hand.
- Divide the dough into 4 parts. Roll each piece into a log about 15 inches long. Place logs onto cookie sheets, 2 to a sheet, the long way. Flatten the logs out until they are about 3 inches wide with a slight hump going down the middle. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, loaves should be firm. Cut the loaves into diagonal slices 1/2 inch wide, place the slices onto the cookie sheets and return to the oven. Toast on one side, then turn them over to do the other side. This will take about 7 to 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 275.2 calories, Carbohydrate 32.4 g, Cholesterol 61.3 mg, Fat 14.1 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 5.5 g, SaturatedFat 6.4 g, Sodium 150.4 mg, Sugar 12.2 g
BISCOTTI DI PEPE - TARALLI - ITALIAN PEPPER BISCUITS
Make and share this Biscotti Di Pepe - Taralli - Italian Pepper Biscuits recipe from Food.com.
Provided by DeSouter
Categories Breads
Time 55m
Yield 2 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Dissolve yeast in water.
- Sift flour salt and pepper onto mixing board.
- Make a well in the center and add yeast and oil.
- Blend together and gradually incorporate into flour.
- The dough will be stiff.
- Knead 10 minutes.
- Place in oiled bowl, turn to coat, cover with towel and let rise until doubled in bulk.
- Preheat oven to 375º.
- Break off small pieces of dough and roll into ropes about 6 inches long.
- Form a ring and pinch edges together.
- Place on baking sheet and let rise 20 minutes.
- Brush with oil and bake 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
ANISETTE TOAST (ITALIAN BISCOTTI)
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour a deep (about 1-2 inch deep) cookie sheet (such as a jelly roll pan). Mix the oil and sugar in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl mix the eggs, vanilla, and Anisette. Add this to the sugar/oil mixture. Then add the baking powder and salt to the sugar/oil/egg mixture. Mix well. Place the flour in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour the sugar/oil/egg mixture into the flour and mix till well combined. Add in the nuts. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth it out. Bake at 350ºF until light brown on top and firm in the center - about 35 minutes. Once baked, cut into long, narrow slices and toast, spread out on the cookie sheet, on all sides in a 300ºF oven until crunchy (toasting time may be vary between 10-20 minutes, depending on how moist the cookies are). Be careful not to burn them. For a chocolate dipped Biscotti, melt semi-sweet chocolate and shortening over a double boiler, and dip the cooled cookies on one side into the chocolate. Place on wax paper and allow chocolate to set.
AUNT DUNETTE'S ITALIAN ANISE BISCOTTI
This recipe from my Italian great great Aunt has been prepared by my mother and my grandmother and now by me! Great with coffee, keeps well, very delicious!
Provided by Demandy
Categories Dessert
Time 45m
Yield 30 biscotte, 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Beat eggs, sugar, and oil. Mix in flour, baking powder, vanilla, and anise. Spread in greased metal ice cube trays or loaf pans. If using loaf pans, only fill 1/3 full. This recipe makes about 3 trays or pans worth.
- Bake 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and cut in slices crosswise. Place slices on baking sheet and brown under broiler, then flip slices and brown on other side. Watch the cookies carefully, it is easy to burn them in this step. Normally the best idea is to broil with oven door open a crack and watch as they go.
ITALIAN NUT BISCOTTI
These biscotti's are the old Italian favorites, My Daughter-in-laws Mother always made these at Christmas for everyone to enjoy. Now this is my Favorite Biscotti recipe. I have been making them at christmas time & other times for years. My family always looks forward to my making them.They are great served with coffee or wine. These rusk-type cookies are studded with nuts and flavored with anise. You Twice bake them to a toasty crunchiness. They do take time,But,are well worth it. Prep time does not include Refrigerate time.
Provided by Barb G.
Categories Dessert
Time 1h5m
Yield 108 Cookies
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large bowl, stir together sugar,butter,anise seeds,anisette, and whiskey;(I use mixer) Beat in eggs.
- In another bowl, stir together flour and baking powder.
- Gradually add to sugar mixture, blending thoroughly,Mix in almonds.
- Cover tightly with Plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.
- Directly on greased baking sheets,shape dough with hands to form flat loaves about 1/2 inch thick,2 inches wide, as long as baking sheets.
- Place loaves parallel and 4 inches apart,(this make 6 loaves).
- Bake in a 375 degrees oven for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Remove loaves from oven and let cool on baking sheets until you can touch them.
- Cut diagonally into 1/2 to 3/4-inch-thick slices;Place slices close together (on same baking sheet, cut sides down} on baking sheets.
- Bake 375 degree oven for 15 more minutes or until lightly toasted.
- Transfer to racks to cool;Store air tight container.
ITALIAN EASTER COOKIES (BISCOTTI)
This is my Italian grandmother's recipe from long ago. She use to make these cookies for every Easter celebration. I have since picked up where she left off and now make these cookies as part of our Easter tradition. I love the anise flavoring but if you don't like anise you can substitute with almond extract and they are just as good! This is my favorite cookie to dip in my coffee! Enjoy!
Provided by LANAIAH
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 2h15m
Yield 72
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream together shortening and white sugar in a bowl until creamy. Add 1 egg at a time, mixing well after each. Add 2 teaspoons anise extract and vanilla extract. Slowly add milk and mix until all ingredients are blended. Slowly add flour mixture, and mix until thick but creamy. Place dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Coat a work surface and hands with flour. Take a quarter-sized piece of dough and roll into a long narrow sausage shape. Form into desired shapes, such as "s" shapes, twists, candy canes, letters, etc. Cookies will puff up when baked, so be sure each cookie is only about the width of a pinky finger. Place cookies on a baking sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven until light golden in color and golden brown on the bottom, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely, about 1 hour.
- Place confectioners' sugar in a bowl and add 2 teaspoons anise extract. Mix in milk 1 tablespoon at a time until icing is smooth and creamy and not too drippy. Coat cooled cookies with icing and top with sprinkles.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 90.7 calories, Carbohydrate 13.3 g, Cholesterol 10.6 mg, Fat 3.4 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 78.7 mg, Sugar 5.2 g
LAURAS ITALIAN GOURMET BISCOTTI'S
Here is the Biscotti recipe I have been asked to post. the combinations are endless.They are great sellers everywhere, I just don't have the time to spend baking everyday anymore. these are so tender and a delicate crunch. hope you enjoy. xoxoxo
Provided by Laura Spencer-Whitacre
Categories Other Snacks
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- 1. Mix sugar and eggs together until creamy and light.Add Crisco (any shortening is fine I prefer crisco)
- 2. Add, extracts of choice, baking powder and salt. Mix until well blended.
- 3. Now add your nuts, dried fruits or candies, blend in well. Now add the flour and mix well.
- 4. Separate into 2 balls. roll into 2,14 inch logs and push flat about 1 inch thick. Bake 350* for 30 minutes, grease pans.(I use parchment paper.)
- 5. after 30 minutes take out of oven, slice logs into 15 pieces each, let cool for 10 minutes, return to oven and bake another 10 minutes. cool on wire racks. package air tight.
- 6. I find extracts online. here are some of the flavors I make: almond joys (coconut extract, choc chips and almonds. Lime N coconut (one of my favs) 1 1/2 teas. coconut, 1/2 teas lime. zest from one lime, almonds,and lay a layer of coconut on top before you bake.. almond roca, orange cran berry choc. the flavors are endless. and if you need help or ideas check in and I will be glad to help, these are the best.. please enjoy, my just a pinch family. xoxoxo laura
- 7. ps. be careful when adding dried fruits, no more than half cup, cranberry orange is so so good and add some white chocolate. or apricot and crystalized ginger, mochas you name it you can make it. xoxoxo happy baking. try almond roca too . endless. I am here if you need me.xoxox
ITALIAN BISCOTTI AL LA SYD
The original of this recipe was from Pat Aldighieri & printed in our local newspaper, but I've increased the amount of nuts & cranberries, baked them less to give them a slightly softer texture & serve them as a regular cookie. However, if you want them really crisp, CAREFULLY bake them another 10-15 minutes. My daughter can't leave them alone [as long as they don't have the nuts!] & friends are always asking for the recipe! Your imagination is the only thing limiting the number of variations to this recipe!
Provided by Sydney Mike
Categories Dessert
Time 2h35m
Yield 130 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl mix the first 7 ingredients until well blended.
- Stir in the flour one cup at a time.
- When smooth, mix in cranberries & pistachios.
- Pat the dough into a smooth round dome in the mixing bowl, then cut it into quarter sections. Slowly shape each section, patting & rolling it carefully, first into a log, & then into a seamless loaf about 13" long & 4" wide. Place two of the loaves on a 15"x10" baking sheet.
- Bake loaves for 45 minutes, checking them every 15 minutes to see if the dough is spreading out & becoming too flat. If it is, reshape the loaf with a spatula.
- Remove loaves from the oven & allow them to cool. When cool, cut each loaf into 1" slices & then cut those slices in half. Place the slices back on the baking sheet, STANDING UP & SEPARATED FROM ONE ANOTHER, then bake them for another 10 minutes or so.
- Remove cookies from the oven & cool them completely before storing them in an air tight container.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 98.7, Fat 4.5, SaturatedFat 2, Cholesterol 20.5, Sodium 13.3, Carbohydrate 13.2, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 6.5, Protein 1.8
ITALIAN BISCOTTI
These additive Italian cookies are meant for dunking, but are good just eaten alone. The word "biscotti" refers to their preparation--they are twice baked. They are just wonderful.
Provided by Mimi in Maine
Categories Dessert
Time 1h35m
Yield 45 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large mixer bowl combine the eggs, egg whites, vanilla, and anise; mix until well-combined.
- Add the sugar, flour, soda, and salt; beat until a dough forms.
- Add the nuts.
- Turn the sticky dough onto a lightly floured board; knead several times.
- Divide the dough in half.
- With floured hands, form the dough into two flattish logs, about 15" long by 2" wide.
- Place the logs about 3" apart on a baking sheet that has been sprayed lighted with cooking spray.
- Bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes.
- Remove and cool for 10 minutes.
- Reduce oven to 275 degrees.
- On a cutting board, cut the logs diagonally into 3/4" thick slices.
- Arrange the slices on the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes; turn and bake another 10-12 minutes.
- Turn heat off and leave biscotti to crisp in the oven for another 15 minutes.
- Remove and cool completely.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 55.5, Fat 1.5, SaturatedFat 0.2, Cholesterol 9.4, Sodium 46.6, Carbohydrate 9.2, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 4.6, Protein 1.5
BASIC ITALIAN BISCOTTI
This is about as basic a biscotti as you can make.
Provided by Traci
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Sift flour and measure. Resift with sugar and baking powder onto a flat surface. Cut shortening into dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal.
- Make a well in flour and break eggs into it. Add vanilla, and knead dough well for about 5 minutes until it is smooth, adding a little more flour if dough seems to soft and sticky.
- Pinch off bits of dough about the size of an apricot, and form into desired shapes. Cookies may be baked as rings, strips, or in letters, such as S.
- Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheet and bake in hot 450 degree F (230 degrees C) oven for 10 minutes, until golden brown. Watch carefully, because they burn easily.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 211.9 calories, Carbohydrate 28.1 g, Cholesterol 23.3 mg, Fat 9.4 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 3.5 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 131.3 mg, Sugar 7.9 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: This will make a big difference in the final flavor of your biscotti.
- Chill the dough before baking: This will help the biscotti hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much.
- Slice the biscotti while they are still warm: This will make them easier to cut and will help prevent them from crumbling.
- Bake the biscotti twice: This will help them get crispy and develop a nice flavor.
- Store the biscotti in an airtight container: This will help them stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion:
Italian biscotti are a delicious and versatile cookie that can be enjoyed on their own or with coffee or tea. They are also a great gift for friends and family. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make delicious biscotti at home. So what are you waiting for? Get baking!
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