Homemade Recipe for Biscotti

Almond, Cranberry and Pistachio or Chocolate something for everyone!

The traditional almond biscotti recipe goes particularly well with espresso and would be an excellent choice to add to your gourmet coffee gift baskets.

The chocolate biscotti recipe is perfect for a gourmet chocolate gift basket, while the cranberry pistachio biscotti recipe has a kind of festive feel, making it a super addition to a homemade Christmas gift basket.

You could make just the one recipe for biscotti depending on your individual taste but why not try them all?

For adding that personal touch to your Italian gift basket package a batch of Italian biscotti up in a cellophane bag and tie securely with a length of curly ribbon in a co-ordinating color to match the rest of your basket.

Or use all the different recipe for biscotti and pop a selection of the cookies into a decorative cookie jar, or a plain jar with a decorative lid. Or make your own decorative labels, the choice is yours!

Almond Biscotti Recipe

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
.1 1/4 cups sugar, divided
3 eggs
1 teaspoon anise or vanilla extract
.2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
Dash salt
1/2 cup chopped almonds
2 teaspoons milk or lightly beaten egg white

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)

2. Cream the butter and 1 cup of sugar together and then add the eggs one at a time. Beat well after you add each one. Stir in the anise or vanilla.

3. Combine the flour and baking powder together and add the salt. Mix together with the creamed mixture then stir in your almonds.

4. Divide mixture in half and shape into two 2 1/2 inch wide logs. Place the logs on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. Brush with milk or egg white and sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Remove from oven and reduce heat to 300 degrees F.

5. Lift logs and the paper onto a wire rack and let cool for about 15 minutes. Place the logs on a cutting board and cut into slices about 1/2 inch thick.

6. Place slices with cut side down on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Turn cookies over and then bake for another 10 minutes.

7. Turn the oven off and leave the biscotti in the oven, on the tray to cool. Don't forget to open the oven door!

8. Store the cooled biscotti in airtight container.

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

2. Mix the oil and sugar together until well blended and add the vanilla and almond extracts. Beat in the eggs. Combine flour, salt, and baking powder together and then gradually stir in with the wet ingredients. Use your hands to mix in the cranberries and the nuts.

3. Divide dough in half and make into two logs about 12 x 2 inches. Place the logs on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. This recipe for biscotti tends to be quite sticky so wet your hands first to make it easier to handle!

4. Bake for 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until logs are light brown. Remove from oven, and let for 10 minutes. Reduce oven heat to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).

5. Place logs on a cutting board and cut into 3/4 inch thick slices. Lay on sides on baking sheet lined with clean baking paper. Bake for approximately another 8 to 10 minutes, or until dry.

6. Turn the oven off and leave the biscotti in the oven, on the tray to cool. Don't forget to open the oven door!

Chocolate Biscotti Recipe