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This biscotti recipe is teeming with plump dried cranberries and crunchy almonds. Perfect dipped in hot coffee or tea during the holidays or year round!

Cranberry Almond Biscotti on a serving tray.

There is nothing quite like dipping biscotti into a piping hot mug of coffee or tea. The best part about this Italian cookie is that it doesn’t go bad as quickly as other desserts. I like to make a large batch and leave it on the counter for those times when my sweet tooth must be obeyed.

What’s better? Biscotti is so easy to tweak and customize! There are so many fun flavor combinations to play with. In this recipe, you’ll learn how to make a classic biscotti that is balanced with the tart flavor of cranberries and the nutty crunch of almonds. If you have a hankering for chocolate, try this recipe for chocolate biscotti instead. If you love any cranberry flavored dessert, don’t forget to try my cranberry orange scones!

What are Biscotti?

Biscotti are oblong-shaped biscuits that originated in the Italian city of Prato in the late 1800s. That’s right – this cookie is steeped in history! Twice-baked and dry, they made for the perfect snack to bring along on long journeys. Traditionally, you’ll find biscotti served with an Italian dessert wine.

In America, we like our biscotti at breakfast or for dessert with coffee or tea! Dunking the biscotti in a hot beverage loosens up the hard biscuit and makes for an absolutely luscious treat. Move over milk and cookies, biscotti and coffee are coming to town!

Ingredients for Biscotti

Almond Biscotti Video

How to Make Biscotti

Making this biscotti recipe only requires a handful of simple ingredients and the classic, double-baking method to get that signature biscuit-like texture. Below, find a quick rundown of the recipe before you dive in.

  • Make the Batter: While the oven preheats to 300°F, whisk the oil, sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract and the eggs. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Next, mix the dry ingredients into the egg mixture in small portions. Finally, mix in the cranberries and almonds with a spatula.
  • Bake on High Heat: Form a log out of the batter on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake it for 35 minutes, or until it turns light brown. Remove the log and set it aside to cool completely.
  • Bake on Low Heat: Reduce the oven heat to 275°F. Cut the biscotti log at a diagonal into 3/4-inch thick slices. Lay each piece on its side on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake the cookies for approximately 8-10 minutes. Allow the biscotti to cool and enjoy with hot coffee or tea!
Biscotti log getting cut

Tips for Making the Best Biscotti

Below, find some pro tips and tricks to make bakery-worthy biscotti in your own home kitchen.

  • Let the biscotti log cool. Once you remove the biscotti log from the oven, it is imperative that you let it cool for 30 minutes before you cut it into long pieces. If you don’t, the biscotti will break and crumble and lose their signature shape.
  • Use a serrated knife to cut the biscotti. To get that coveted biscotti shape, you are going to want to use a sharp, serrated knife. Use a gentle sawing motion (versus a pressing motion) to carefully cut the log into biscotti pieces.
  • Increase the time of the second bake for extra crunchy biscotti. I am a huge fan of extra crunchy biscotti! If you are too, increase the amount of time of the second-bake. But, be careful not to burn the biscotti! Extra-crunchy biscotti will only require a few more minutes of baking. I recommend turning on your oven light and keeping a close eye.

Mini Biscotti Hack: Want a fun addition to your holiday gift trays this year? Form two thinner logs, this way when you cut your biscotti pieces they will be much shorter. Arrange them next to your snowman sugar cookies and fudge.

Sliced Biscotti on a Baking Tray

How to Make Chocolate-Dipped Biscotti

Another Ameican variation to this treat is dipping finished biscotti in chocolate! This is ultra-decadent and it produces a visually stunning result. Here’s how to do it:

  • Allow your biscotti to completely cool.
  • Melt 8 oz of baking chocolate in the microwave in increments of 15 seconds. Make sure to stir the chocolate vigorously with a spoon after each increment. This will prevent the chocolate from clumping up. You will want an ultra-smooth texture before you get to dipping.
  • Now that you have silky smooth, melty chocolate, dip one side of the biscotti into it. Return the biscotti to a baking sheet to allow the chocolate to set at room temperature for about 45 minutes.

Storing Biscotti

Whether you want to store your biscotti for a couple of weeks or freeze the dough to have on hand for later, find all the storage instructions you need.

  • Room Temperature: Biscotti is one of those awesome baked treats that stays good for weeks. The best way to store it is in an airtight container or cookie tin on the counter. They will continue to get harder as they sit, but will become moist when dipped in hot coffee or tea.
  • Freezer: The best time to freeze biscotti is after the first round of baking. Once you slice the biscotti, freeze them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. When you’re ready, finish them off in the oven with the low baking round.

FAQ

Is biscotti better with butter or oil?

Biscotti is best made with oil versus butter. This gives it a nice, earthy flavor.

Are biscotti healthier than cookies?

Yes, biscotti are healthier than most cookies. Typically, they are much lower in fat and contain a lot less sugar.

How hard are biscotti supposed to be?

After the first round of baking, biscotti should be firm but not overly hard. After the second round of baking, they will get much harder.

Should I dunk biscotti?

Biscotti are the perfect texture to dip in coffee or tea. This will help to moisten the biscuit and makes for such an awesome pairing.

Can you overcook biscotti?

Yes, you can overcook biscotti. You’ll want to pull them out of the oven while they are still soft enough to cut.

More European Treats

Recipe

Cranberry Almond Biscotti on a tray.

Cranberry Almond Biscotti Recipe

Print Pin
Servings
12 Units
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
This biscotti recipe is teeming with plump dried cranberries and crunchy almonds. Perfect dipped in hot coffee or tea during the holidays or year round!

Ingredients

US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 300°F.
    All the ingredients in a tray for biscotti
  • In a large bowl, whisk together oil, sugar, vanilla, almond extracts and eggs.
    Mixing bowl with eggs and sugar
  • In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. In small portions, slowly mix the dry ingredients into the egg mixture.
    Mixing bowl with biscotti dough
  • Using a spatula, mix in the cranberry and almonds.
    Mixing bowl with almonds and cranberries
  • On a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, form a log out of the biscotti dough. If the dough is on the stickier side, wet your hands with cool water for easier handling.
    Biscotti long in a baking tray
  • Bake the log for 35 minutes, or until it turns light brown. Remove the log from the oven and set it aside to cool for 30 minutes before you attempt to slice it. Reduce oven heat to 275°F.
    Baked Biscotti long on a cutting board
  • Cut log diagonal into 3/4-inch thick slices. Lay each piece on its side on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes. Pull the biscotti out of the oven and allow it to cool.
    Biscotti log getting cut
  • Serve the biscotti with coffee or tea. Enjoy!
    Cranberry Almond Biscotti in a tray
Nutrition Facts
Cranberry Almond Biscotti Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 286 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Cholesterol 27mg9%
Sodium 60mg3%
Potassium 189mg5%
Carbohydrates 35g12%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 17g19%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 40IU1%
Calcium 68mg7%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted December 10, 2021

About Author

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Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.