Almond Biscotti Recipe
This classic Almond Biscotti recipe yields crisp, twice-baked Italian cookies bursting with toasted almonds and a hint of citrus zest. Perfectly crunchy and subtly sweet, these biscotti are ideal for dipping in coffee or tea and make a delightful treat for any occasion.
- Author: Rico
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: About 24 biscotti 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- Zest of 1 large lemon (or 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest)
- 1 Tablespoon almond extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup whole almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 325ºF (163ºC) and position an oven rack in the center. Line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking during baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder to ensure even distribution.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: Using an electric mixer in a large bowl, beat the sugar, room temperature butter, eggs, lemon zest, almond extract, and vanilla extract together for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes thick and pale.
- Add Flour Mixture and Almonds: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients on medium-low speed. Then fold in the toasted and chopped almonds until all components are evenly moistened and combined.
- Rest the Dough: Let the dough rest a couple of minutes in the mixing bowl to hydrate fully and make it easier to handle.
- Shape Logs: Spray your hands with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then divide the dough into two equal portions. Shape each into a flattened log approximately 3 inches wide and 12 inches long. Place the logs on the prepared baking sheet(s), spacing them a few inches apart if on the same sheet.
- Bake Logs: Bake the logs for about 20-25 minutes until they are firm yet slightly yielding to the touch. Remove from the oven and transfer the baking sheets to a wire rack to cool completely, which may take around 30 minutes. While cooling, reduce the oven temperature to 300ºF (149ºC).
- Slice Biscotti: Once cooled, transfer one log at a time to a cutting board. Using a very sharp knife, slice the log diagonally or straight down approximately ½ inch thick per slice, depending on the desired shape and length of biscotti.
- Arrange and Bake Again: Place the cut slices cut-side up on the baking sheets. Bake them at 300ºF for 7 minutes, then flip each biscotti and bake for another 7 minutes to achieve the classic twice-baked crispiness.
- Cool and Store: Remove biscotti from the oven, transfer to a cooling rack, and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate after that for best freshness.
Notes
- To toast almonds, spread them on a baking sheet and roast in a 350ºF oven for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Use a very sharp serrated knife for easier slicing without crushing the biscotti dough.
- Adjust slicing angle for biscotti length and shape: diagonal slices yield longer cookies, straight cuts produce shorter ones.
- Allowing the logs to cool completely before slicing prevents the dough from crumbling.
- Biscotti can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week or frozen for longer storage.
Keywords: Almond Biscotti, Italian cookies, twice-baked cookies, crunchy biscotti, almond cookies, coffee cookies