She loves biscotti you say…more specifically Almond Biscotti.
My whole biscotti obsession started with this family recipe for Italian Almond Biscotti. Simple and great tasting -it will quickly become one of your favorites.
This recipe was originally published on September 28, 2014 and re-published on October 12, 2017 with updated content, photos and more recently with a video.
Born to Italian immigrants, growing up in Montreal, my definition of biscotti refers to a variety of cookies, which include the twice-baked cookie.
As a kid, I thought this cookie was too hard and looked boring. Whenever I opened the pantry door, there they were again, almond biscotti. I remember thinking why can’t we be like the other kids and have store-bought cookies. It was only as an adult that I came to appreciate this simple cookie which was absolutely created to be dunked.
If you have never ventured into the world of biscotti…you should.
They are truly simple to make, do not require any special cooking equipment (that means manual labor i.e. mixing by hand) and you can easily control the amount of sugar and the flavors (for example, the anise flavor found in this Anise Biscotti can easily be replaced with vanilla flavoring).
Be sure to consult this guide on How to Make Biscotti. It will provide you with all the tips and tricks to make the best homemade biscotti, every single time. This post also includes a recipe for Lemon Biscotti. If you like lemon cookies, you are going to love these!
Once you have combined the ingredients, it’s time to shape this mixture into logs. My method is definitely unconventional, but it works for me. I will use a large serving spoon to scoop out the dough and place it on the parchment-lined cookie sheet. I will then add another scoop adjacent to the batter on the cookie sheet and keep going until I have formed my two logs.
As far as the size of the log is concerned, you can make them as wide or as narrow as you want. I will usually make 3-3½ inch wide logs. Once I have placed the batter on the cookie sheets, I will gently “press” and shape the dough mixture into logs with my damp fingers. Like I mentioned, unconventional and amateurish…but hey, it works!
Once baked, allow them to cool off before attempting to slice them.
Biscotti, as you may know, is Italian for “twice-cooked” – so if you like a bit of a crunch, put those biscotti back in the oven again for the second round of baking. The longer these Italian biscotti stay in the oven, the crispier they will get. Although it is a well-known practice to bake these biscotti cookies twice, personnel preference should dictate for how long, if at all. These Almond Biscotti are fantastic even without the second baking.
Another well-known fact is that biscotti will last forever! Well, maybe not forever… but you get my point. Because they are baked twice, there is little moisture in the dough. Since biscotti are a low moisture cookie, this will allow you to store them at room temperature, where they will keep for a few weeks. It is best to keep them in an air-tight container.
Tips
- Start with ingredients that are at room temperature.
- Once the biscotti loaves are baked, allow them to cool down for at least ten minutes before slicing into them.
How do you cut biscotti without breaking them?
Allow the biscotti to cool down on a cookie rack before slicing into them. Carefully transfer the biscotti loaves to a cutting board. With a sharp serrated knife, slice the loaves at an angle into ½-inch thick slices.
Are biscotti supposed to be hard?
Yes, biscotti cookies are supposed to be hard. The best biscotti recipe will provide you with biscotti that are firm and crunchy. The word “biscotti” means twice baked; in doing so, the moisture is removed from these Italian cookies leaving you with a dry, dunk-able cookie.
How to store
Store your biscotti cookies in airtight containers, but they don’t need to be absolutely hermetically sealed. A slight flow of air will help them stay crispy!
You can store biscotti for up to 3 weeks in a variety of different containers, including glass or ceramics as well as cookie tins. A paper towel placed at the bottom of the container will help absorb excess moisture; making sure they stay crisp. Always store at room temperature -never the refrigerator.
Can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
More biscotti recipes
Biscotti is the perfect snack for any coffee or tea lover, with its crunchy additions of nuts and flavorful add-ins like dried fruit. Some favorites include these festive-looking pistachio biscotti, these earthy pumpkin biscotti as well as these decadent chocolate hazelnut biscotti.
They also make a great addition to any homemade Christmas cookie box.
Recipe origins for almond biscotti
As you can well imagine, every Italian family has “their” biscotti recipe and I have collected quite a few over the years. This is one of my personal favorites. In fact, my whole biscotti obsession started with this recipe. As you may have guessed, this was one of my mom’s recipes.
A simple and great tasting biscotti -I am sure they will quickly become one of your favorites!
I hope you enjoy these biscotti cookies with some Vin Santo, coffee, tea or even milk!
Don’t forget to dunk 🙂
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
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Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made this recipe for Almond Biscotti, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Almond Biscotti
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole almonds raw
- 2¼ cups all purpose flour 320 grams
- 1½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon pure almond extract
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F/165° C. Position rack in the center.
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread almonds on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 12-15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt and sugars).
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs. Add olive oil, extracts, and zest. Whisk lightly together.
- When almonds are toasted, remove them from the oven and coarsely chop.
- Add flour mixture to egg mixture; stir with a wooden spoon until just incorporated.
- Fold in chopped almonds (make sure they have cooled off before incorporating in the batter).
- Use a large serving spoon to scoop out the dough and place it on the parchment-lined cookie sheet. Add another scoop adjacent to the batter on the cookie sheet and keep going until two logs are formed.With damp fingers, shape into a log shape.
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown in color and firm. Allow to cool slightly for about 10 minutes.
- Remove from baking sheet and transfer to a cutting board.
- Using a serrated knife, slice cookies at an angle about ½ - ¾ inch thick.
- Place slices back on the baking sheets and return them to the oven for about another 15-20 minutes (the longer they stay in the oven, the crispier they get). Turn them over at the halfway mark.
- Place on a wire rack to cool.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Ange
I made these for my Italian in-laws and they LOVED them! Thank you for the wonderful recipe that is now my go-to for biscotti. I can’t tell you how happy these cookies make me – I look forward to my afternoon cappuccino even more these days!
Maria
I am so delighted to read this! Thanks so much for sharing Ange!
Ange
I forgot to add my rating!! 5+ all the way 🙂
Maria
You are too kind! Thanks again Ange! Have a great evening ♥
pat
loved these. For a littlr extra sweetness, I drizzeled an almond glaze over them. Bam..perfect
Maria
How wonderful, Pat! Thanks for sharing!
Jan
Hi Maria, I would like to freeze biscotti ready for Christmas. Rather then freezing them after the second baking, could I bake the logs, cut the biscotti and freeze that way. Then do the second bake when I need them. I have never frozen them before, but my thinking is that by doing it this way they may be more like freshly baked biscotti. I make biscotti half chocolate (with cocoa powder) and half vanilla. As well as adding almonds I also add chocolate chips and raisins soaked in marsala.
Thank you for any suggestions. Jan
Maria
From one biscotti lover to another, thanks so much for your interest Jan. I always start my holiday baking with biscotti (including the second bake)… usually the first week of December. I place them in large plastic freezer bags (keeping the shape of a log) remove the air with a straw, careful not to break them, and then place them in large airtight freezer containers. I create and distribute my holiday cookie platters to family and friends a few days before Christmas. Everyone can’t believe how fresh they taste.
Although the method you described works, in my humble opinion, I don’t think it makes that much of a difference re: freshness because of the biscotti’s texture -crisp and crunchy. If they are properly frozen, they will taste great! Have fun baking!
Ashverya
What type of olive oil should one use in this?
Maria
Thanks for your interest Ashverya. Any kind works. That being said, I don’t use my extra virgin olive oil. I reserve that one for my salads. Enjoy!
JP Bee
For years I have wanted to learn to bake biscotti. Your recipe finally inspired me to break down and make them: they were worth the wait. These were perfect. The recipe is clear and easy to follow and the biscotti were delicious. No more store bought biscotti for us; I have this instant classic recipe. Lei ringrazio e buon appetito!
Maria
My pleasure JP! I am so thrilled to read this! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Deborah Lochli Mcgrath
Hi I just made these! Delicious as always rest recipe
Deb
Maria
Thanks so much Deborah!
Carrie Durrett
I have made these a few times. They are wonderful!!! Thought I’d always have them on hand. I have failed myself and my friends! Definitely worth your effort. First time around I didn’t have the raw almonds and I learned a new skill set when making and slicing the logs.
Maria
Thanks for sharing Carrie!
Bruno
My grandmother used a smilier recipe as this one. It reminds me of my childhood growing up with her and baking biscotti for Christmas. She has since passed away. Since then, I stopped using brown sugar in my biscotti. I find they have a longer shelf life with just plain sugar.
Maria
Thanks for sharing Bruno. I’m guessing probably due to the moisture. I always freeze my biscotti… that way they are always fresh when I need to serve them and it prevents me from eating too many at once 🙂
Michelle
My first go at biscotti that I can remember. Delish and well received by my biscotti-loving principal! Easy to make. Would recommend (and did after the principal asked for the recipe).
Maria
How wonderful Michelle! Thanks so much for sharing!
Danielle
Your flavors are spot on. But I doubled the recipe and did add an extra 1 cup of flour as the dough seemed too slack. I did watch the video and can see why you make the logs on the parchment. I liked that the dough did puff even though it spread quite a bit, but cutting it was easier and not as crumbling as other biscotti recipe I have used in the past. We decided it was the best we’ve had EVER! Thanks, I was reticent but truly delighted in the finished product.
Maria
How wonderful, Danielle! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!