Easy Biscotti Recipe (Cranberry Orange) (2024)

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An easy biscotti recipe, crispy Italian cookies with the addition of dried fruit and zest. Dipped in white chocolate, these are a wonderful treat!

Easy Biscotti Recipe (Cranberry Orange) (1)

I just love holiday baking, and really really love that this is so easy, and mostly hands off. The Italians know how it’s done! BONUS:it makes the house smell amazing!

It’s a great time of year to be baking biscotti recipes – endless possibilities for combinations and flavors and not terribly labor intensive. More time for eggnog….

While I’m in love with this cranberry and orange combo – you could add nuts, different fruits, cinnamon, coffee, coconut, limes, chocolate… lots of possibilities!

These are so so simple, but so good.

If you also love this flavor combination, check out my Cranberry Orange Cookies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is biscotti?

Biscotti just means “twice baked” – ie, we bake our biscotti log, then we cut it into slices – then bake again! (and then we dip them in chocolate, but that has no bearing on why it’s called biscotti). They’re a crisp, Italian cookie – popular year round!

How long do homemade biscotti keep?

If they even last that long (in my house, they don’t), they’ll last up to 2 weeks if stored properly (airtight container, cool & dry place)

Why is biscotti so hard?

They shouldn’t be “hard” per se, more like extra crispy. Perfect for dunking in coffee. Or tea. You just do you.

Can you freeze biscotti?

Yes! freeze the undipped, baked biscotti in sealed zip top bags. I do this ahead of the holidays and pull them out and dip them.

Cooking for a crowd? No problem! Simply double the recipe, and divide the dough in half to make two logs. These will keep in a sealed container for several days. Or you can make and bake ahead, and freeze!

Easy Biscotti Recipe (Cranberry Orange) (2)

Kylee’s Notes

How to store biscotti

  1. Allow the biscotti to cool completely before storing them. This will prevent condensation from forming inside the storage container.
  2. Choose an airtight container that is large enough to hold the biscotti without them touching or getting crushed. A tin or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid works well.
  3. Line the bottom of the container with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent the biscotti from sticking to the container.
  4. Place the biscotti in the container in a single layer. If you need to stack them, separate each layer with parchment or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together.
  5. Store the biscotti in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat. They will keep well for up to two weeks.

Substitutions/Additions

1 tsp of vanilla or almond extract will boost the flavor, if you wish!

Use raisins, dried blueberries, apricots – any kind of dried fruit works well! ( I love me some lemon/blueberry)

Use lemon zest in place of the orange zest for a different flavor.

Freezing instructions

If you want to extend the shelf life of your biscotti, you can also store them in the freezer. Place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Ingredient Notes

The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.

  • Flour. Regular, all-purpose flour
  • Baking powder. This will help your biscotti rise a little. Make sure it’s fresh!
  • Sugar. Just plain white granulated sugar
  • Butter. I soften this to room temperature.
  • Orange zest. The zest of one average orange – or 2 tablespoons.
  • Eggs. I use large eggs for baking.
  • Cranberries. I use dried cranberries, they’re the sweetened kind!
  • White chocolate. I say this is optional, but seriously…. It’s not. Just melt it and dip your biscotti. You’ll thank me!
Easy Biscotti Recipe (Cranberry Orange) (3)

How to make this Biscotti

Scroll for Recipe

The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.

Get prepped

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper.

Make the biscotti dough

In a large bowl, sift together flour and baking powder and set aside.

Beat together the sugar, butter, zest and salt.

Mix in the eggs, 1 at a time.

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Add the flour mixture and mix just until blended.

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Stir in the cranberries.

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Form the dough into a 12-inch long, 3-inch wide log on the baking sheet.

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First bake

Bake for 40 minutes. Remove and let cool completely.

Second bake

Using a serrated knife, cut the log on a diagonal into slices (about ¾ inch thick).

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Arrange the biscotti, cut side down, on the lined baking sheets.

Bake the biscotti again, for 15 minutes, until they are golden brown.

Transfer the biscotti to a wire rack and cool completely.

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Dip and decorate

Melt the white chocolate, dip the bottom of the biscotti and let cool and set.

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More Holiday Baking Ideas

  • Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies These easy Spritz cookies are a great way to spend some time in the kitchen baking with your kids this holiday season!
  • Candy Cane Cookies. These adorable and delicious Candy Cane Cookies are so fun to make and are a Christmas staple for holiday baking!
  • Cranberry Orange Cookies. Crunchy and sweet, with simple ingredients, that are super easy to make! These cookies are perfect for holiday baking.
  • ALL COOKIE RECIPES
Easy Biscotti Recipe (Cranberry Orange) (11)

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Easy Biscotti Recipe (Cranberry Orange) (12)

Cranberry-Orange Biscotti

5 from 2 votes

A basic biscotti recipe, with the addition of dried fruit and zest. A simple dip in some white chocolate, and you’ll have a lovely treat to share. BONUS:it makes the house smell amazing!

Author: Kylee Ayotte

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

  • Sift together flour and baking powder and set aside.

  • Beat together the sugar, butter, zest and salt.

  • Mix in the eggs, 1 at a time.

  • Add the flour mixture and mix just until blended, then stir in the cranberries.

  • Form the dough into a 12-inch long, 3-inch wide log on the baking sheet.

  • Bake for 40 minutes. Remove and let cool completely.

  • Using a serrated knife, cut the log on a diagonal into slices (about ¾ inch thick).

  • Arrange the biscotti on the baking sheet.

  • Bake the biscotti again, for 15 minutes, until they are golden brown.

  • Transfer the biscotti to a rack and cool completely.

  • Optional: Melt the white chocolate, dip the bottom of the biscotti and let cool and set.

Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @kyleecooks or tag #kyleecooks!

Notes

Mix it up!

  • 1 tsp of vanilla or almond extract will boost the flavor, if you wish!
  • Use raisins, dried blueberries, apricots – any kind of dried fruit works well! ( I love me some lemon/blueberry)
  • Use lemon zest in place of the orange zest for a different flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 127mg | Potassium: 95mg | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 275IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1.2mg

Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Update:This was originally posted in 2015, and has been updated with new pictures and step by step instructions.

About Kylee Ayotte

I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Read More

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Comments

  1. Laura says

    Excellent recipe! I added a little orange extract to add to the orange flavor.

    Reply

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Easy Biscotti Recipe (Cranberry Orange) (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to good biscotti? ›

12 Tips For Making The Absolute Best Biscotti
  • Use room-temperature ingredients. ...
  • Boost the flavor with spices, extracts, and zest. ...
  • Toss in some add-ins for flavor and texture. ...
  • Let the dough chill before shaping. ...
  • Use floured or greased hands to shape the dough. ...
  • Shape the dough into a smaller loaf than you want.
May 29, 2023

Should biscotti dough be chilled before baking? ›

My recipe says to refrigerate biscotti dough 30 minutes before the first baking.

What does baking soda do in biscotti? ›

Baking soda – baking soda helps the biscotti rise and spread. Make sure that your baking soda isn't expired. Sugar- we used granulated sugar for this recipe. You can use caster sugar as well.

Should biscotti be hard or soft? ›

Biscotti are hard, crunchy cookies as they are usually baked twice - the word biscotti is derived from Italian - "bis" meaning "twice" and "cotti" meaning "cooked". Usually the dough is formed into small loaf shapes (similar to a ciabatta loaf) and baked for around 20 minutes, then cooled slightly before slicing.

Is butter better than oil in biscotti? ›

The choice is yours; just keep in mind that those made with butter or oil will have both a softer texture and a shorter shelf life. As for fillings and flavors, biscotti get along with a host of ingredients, including dried fruit, nuts, spices, liqueurs and chocolate.

How do you keep homemade biscotti crispy? ›

How to Store Biscotti: Maximize Crunch & Prevent Soft Biscotti. To store biscotti, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature. Lining the container with a paper towel will help soak up any excess moisture that finds its way in.

Why do my biscotti crumble when I cut them? ›

A: Overbaking the logs of dough during the first baking can make the slices crumble as you are cutting them. Also, even if the logs of dough are perfectly baked, they will crumble if they are sliced while still warm, so be patient. The logs crumble when you use a dull knife, too.

What method is commonly used to achieve the desired light airy texture in biscotti? ›

To make these cookies, start by whipping eggs and a couple of extra egg yolks together with sugar, vanilla, and almond extract. This step is key to making biscotti that are crisp but not hard. Get the mixture very pale, thick, and airy. All that air will help lighten the biscotti.

How do you know when biscotti is done? ›

“How do I know when they're done?” Let's turn to the Cookie Companion again. “Once the biscotti have been sliced and baked for the time directed, take the pan out of the oven and probe the side of a biscotto … If the biscotto feels soft, like a piece of cake, give it another 5 minutes in the oven.

What happens if you forget baking powder in biscotti? ›

No lift-off: Baking powder releases gas, making the batter rise. Without it, the batter stays dense, like a pancake in disguise. Dense & doughy: The cake might cook, but it'll be more like a heavy brick than a light and airy delight.

How sticky should biscotti dough be? ›

Biscotti dough is inherently sticky. I recommend adequately flouring your hands before working the dough, and if it's still too sticky to handle, add a little flour at a time but just enough so you can work with it.

Why is my biscotti rock hard? ›

The answer's in the name: “bis” (twice) + “cotto” (cooked). Biscotti are made by part-cooking a sort of flat loaf. That loaf is sliced into individual cookies and baked again until hard and crisp. And that hardness is sort of the point.

Do you need to sift flour for biscotti? ›

Measuring your ingredients is the only way to make sure you're getting a consistent crunch in your biscotti! Do sift the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Sifting your ingredients together help avoid the hard middle in your biscotti!

What is the difference between American and Italian biscotti? ›

Here it is, a biscotti recipe everyone can enjoy — unlike classic Italian biscotti, which are quite hard, these are light and crunchy. Biscotti bake twice rather than once, and thus take a bit longer start-to-finish than normal drop cookies.

Why do you cut biscotti diagonally? ›

If you stand up your slices on the baking pan, with a little space in between, they crisp up better. The thing that makes biscotti biscotti is baking them in a log, slicing them on the diagonal, and then baking them a second time so they are crispy all the way through.

Why are my biscotti falling apart when I cut them? ›

If when you have baked the loaf, and then they fall apart when you try to slice them, you have baked the Biscotti too long.

Why do my biscotti break when I cut them? ›

After the first bake, allow the biscotti to cool for about 10 minutes but don't leave them too long. If you leave them too long the dough will become too hard and it will be difficult to cut, but if you cut them when they are hot the slices will crumble.

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