There are an endless variety of Italian biscotti recipes. The following are a couple variations that are both easy and delicious and are sure to make nearby mouths water!
Simple Biscotti Recipe
Biscuit
Makes about 4 dozen cookies
Ingredients
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup granulated sugar
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon anise or almond extract
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Prepare your cookie sheets by greasing them or line them with parchment paper. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the oil, eggs, sugar and anise flavoring and beat until well blended. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining dry ingredients and then stir these into the egg mixture to form a heavy ball of dough. Divide the dough into two pieces.
Form each piece into a roll (a long tube) as long as your cookie sheet. Place the roll onto the prepared cookie sheet and apply a little bit a pressure until it is about 1/2 an inch thick.
Pop these in the oven for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. When the color seems right, remove from the baking sheet to cool on a wire rack. When the biscotti are cool enough to handle, slice 'em up! Using a long-bladed knife, slice the cookies into 1/2 inch slices.
Place the slices cut side up back onto the baking sheet. Bake for an additional 6 to 10 minutes on each side. Remove from heat, and voila! A perfect cookie for a snack or for entertaining!
Another one of those oh-so-tasty Italian biscotti recipes that you simply must try are of the chocolate variety. Read on and you won't be disappointed!
Chocolate Biscotti Recipe
Makes about 3 dozen cookies
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Prepare your cookie sheets by greasing them or line them with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter and sugar and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add in the cocoa and baking powder. Add the eggs one at a time. Sift the flour in next, work until you have a ball of dough. Finally mix in the chocolate chips. Divide the ball into two pieces.
Form each piece into a roll (a long tube) as long as your cookie sheet. Place the roll onto the prepared cookie sheet and apply a little bit a pressure until it is about 1/2 an inch thick.
Pop these in the oven for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. When the color seems right, remove from the baking sheet to cool on a wire rack. When the biscotti are cool enough to handle, slice 'em up! Using a long-bladed knife, slice the cookies into 1/2 inch slices.
Place the slices cut side up back onto the baking sheet. Bake for an additional 6 to 10 minutes on each side. Remove from heat, and now you've got a chocolate-y and delicious alternative to the traditional biscotti, which are sure to be a big a hit!
One last note: to really kick up the yum-factor on either of these Italian biscotti recipes, try dipping one side of each cookie in melted milk or dark chocolate, and then heck - dip 'em again in some chopped up almonds or hazelnuts. Now doesn't that just sound like a tiny piece of heaven?
Italian Biscotti Recipes
