This Chocolate Biscotti recipe will take your love for cookies to a whole new level! The combination of rich chocolate, vanilla extract, and almond extract along with the crunchiness of pecan chips and tartness of dried cranberries serves to add a delicious contrast. What’s more, is that it’s a joy to bake at home.
This biscotti recipe will give you that classic flavor that goes perfectly with a cup of coffee. It’s the perfect treat any time of the year, and my family and I love making these cranberry pistachio biscotti around the holidays too!
You’ll love these Italian cookies. They’re perfectly crisp yet light and have the most delicious flavor you won’t get enough of. The chocolate goes beautifully with coffee and will become your new favorite treat.
Chocolate biscotti is an absolute treat for all the chocolate lovers out there. Biscotti are traditional Italian cookies that are slightly crunchy yet airy and flavorful with vanilla and almonds!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make: This chocolate biscotti recipe is incredibly simple to follow. With your trusty electric mixer doing most of the work, all you need to do is combine the ingredients, roll out the dough, and bake.
- Quick: You don't need to wait for special occasions or trips to the store to enjoy these delicious Italian cookies. With a total time of just over an hour, you can satisfy your sweet tooth at any time of the year.
- Family favorite: This biscotti recipe is a crowd-pleaser. With rich chocolate flavor from Hershey's dark chocolate bar and the perfect crisp texture from baking in the oven, it is sure to be loved by everyone in the family.
- Versatile: Whether you're a fan of pecans, almonds, or cranberries, you can easily customize this recipe to suit your preferences. Simply add your favorite nuts or dried fruits to the dough before baking.
- Delicious: The combination of dark chocolate, cranberries, and pecans gives this biscotti a unique and irresistible flavor. Whether you're enjoying them with your morning coffee or as an after-dinner treat, these cookies are sure to hit the spot.
Key Ingredients
All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this chocolate biscotti recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:
- Eggs: These are the binding agents in the recipe, helping to hold all the other ingredients together. They also add moisture, making the biscotti soft on the inside.
- Sugar: Not only does it sweeten the biscotti, but it also aids in browning and helps add a crunchy texture to these Italian cookies.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: This provides a sweet, creamy aroma that enhances the overall flavor of the biscotti.
- Almond Extract: This gives a subtle nutty flavor that compliments the other ingredients beautifully.
- Dried Cranberries: These lend a tangy sweetness to the biscotti, balancing out the richness of the chocolate.
- Pecan Chips: They add a delightful crunch to the biscotti, contrasting nicely with its otherwise soft texture.
- All-Purpose Flour: This is the main structure of the biscotti, it gives them their shape and makes them sturdy enough to hold all the other ingredients.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the flavors, making the chocolate taste even more chocolatey, and the cranberries even tangier.
- Baking Powder: This helps the biscotti rise in the oven, making them light and airy on the inside.
- Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Bar: This is where the rich chocolate flavor comes from. Dark chocolate gives a deeper, more complex flavor than milk chocolate. Plus, the slightly bitter taste of dark chocolate pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the cranberries.
How to Make Chocolate Biscotti
Making this incredible chocolate biscotti is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:
How to Make the Dough
Begin by preheating your oven to a temperature of around 350 ℉.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine large eggs and sugar. Beat these ingredients together on a high setting for approximately five minutes until they are well mixed and the sugar has dissolved.
Next, add almond and vanilla extract to the mixture. Mix these ingredients on a medium speed for about a minute.
In a separate bowl, combine your dry ingredients: a quarter teaspoon salt, baking powder, and flour. Stir them together using a wire whisk to guarantee that they are evenly distributed.
Sift this flour mixture into your egg mixture, mixing on a low speed until all of the ingredients are combined.
Now, add your pecan chips and dried cranberries to the dough. Using a silicon spatula or mixer paddle attachment stir these in on a low setting for a minute, or until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
How to Bake Biscotti
Dust your cutting board with a little flour and transfer the dough onto it. Shape the dough into a long log, and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Using a rolling pin, roll your dough log both across and lengthwise to flatten it. Aim for a log that is roughly 15” long and about 5” wide.
Place your flattened dough log into the preheated oven and bake it for around 30 minutes at 350 ℉. Once it is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes before proceeding to the next step.
Once cooled, slice your biscotti log into 1-inch bars using a serrated knife. Toast each side of these bars for 5 minutes per side at a temperature of 350 F, depending on how toasted you prefer your biscotti.
How to Glaze with Chocolate Ganache
While your biscotti is cooling, you can start preparing your chocolate glaze. Break your chocolate into pieces and melt them in a bowl over simmering water, stirring until completely melted.
Pour about three-fourths of the melted chocolate onto a large, flat plate. Dip each biscotti into this chocolate, then place them on a cutting board lined with wax paper.
Finally, remove your biscotti from the fridge and carefully peel them off the wax paper. Place them on a tray and they're ready to be served and enjoyed!
Pour the remaining chocolate into a small zip lock bag, cut a small hole at one corner, and drizzle this chocolate on top of the biscotti. Place your cutting board into the fridge for about 30 minutes to allow the chocolate to set.
Recipe Tips
- Choose the right chocolate: For a rich chocolate flavor, opt for a Hershey’s dark chocolate bar for this biscotti recipe. Its flavor compliments the pecans and cranberries perfectly.
- Beat eggs and sugar thoroughly: Use your electric mixer to beat the eggs and sugar well on high for about five minutes. This will help guarantee that your biscotti has the right texture.
- Roll and shape the dough correctly: After transferring the dough onto a floured cutting board, roll it into a long log, then flatten it to about a width of five inches. This will give your biscotti the classic shape.
- Toast your biscotti to your preference: Depending on how crisp you like your biscotti, you can adjust the toasting time. If you like them less toasted, just simply adjust to a lower temperature and less toasting time.
- Chill before dipping: Let your biscotti cool completely before dipping and drizzling with chocolate. Placing them in the fridge will help the chocolate set faster.
- Get creative with your toppings: While dark chocolate is a classic choice for biscotti, feel free to experiment with white chocolate, almonds, or even chocolate chunks to suit your sweet tooth.
Substitutions and Variations
This delicious chocolate biscotti recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you're looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:
- Different Nuts: If you're a fan of nuts, then this variation is for you. Simply replace the pecan chips with the same amount of chopped almonds. The almonds will add a delicious crunch and a distinctive flavor to your biscotti.
- White Chocolate Twist: For a different flavor, swap the dark chocolate bar for white chocolate. White chocolate will give your biscotti a creamy, sweet twist that pairs perfectly with the tart cranberries.
- Double Chocolate Biscotti: For the chocolate lovers out there, try adding half a cup of chocolate chips to the dough mixture. This will guarantee that every bite is packed with rich chocolate flavor, satisfying your sweet tooth.
- Different Drief Fruit: For a fruity variation, add a quarter cup of chopped dried apricots or figs to the dough along with the cranberries. The additional fruit will add a new layer of flavor and texture to your biscotti.
- Salty-Sweet Balance: If you like a balance of sweet and salty flavors, sprinkle a little sea salt on the cut sides of your biscotti before the second bake. The salt will accentuate the sweetness of the biscotti and the dark chocolate.
- Espresso Boost: For a coffee twist, add one tablespoon of instant espresso powder to the flour mixture. This will give your biscotti a subtle coffee flavor that pairs perfectly with dark chocolate and makes a great companion to your morning coffee.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy these delicious chocolate biscotti with a morning cup of homemade latte. The rich chocolate flavor pairs beautifully with a steaming mug of your favorite blend, providing a sweet start to your day.
- For a delightful afternoon pick-me-up, try pairing this chocolate biscotti with a hot cup of tea. The rich cocoa notes in the biscotti compliment the taste of tea, making it a sophisticated treat for your sweet tooth.
- These biscotti also make an excellent dessert option. Serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a contrast in textures that's sure to please. The crisp biscotti and creamy ice cream make a heavenly combo!
- Need a quick snack on the go? Pack a few of these chocolate biscotti in your bag. They're perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth when you're out and about.
- For a festive holiday treat, dip the cut sides of the biscotti in white chocolate and sprinkle it with crushed almonds. This adds an extra layer of flavor and a touch of elegance to these Italian cookies.
- If you're hosting a get-together or a party, serve these biscotti on a beautiful platter with a selection of cheeses and fruits. The sweet and savory combination will surely be a hit among your guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this recipe, I’ve used a Hershey’s dark chocolate bar to give a rich chocolate flavor. However, you can use any dark chocolate of your choice. You can even try it with white chocolate or chocolate chips for a different flavor profile.
Absolutely! This recipe is quite versatile. You can substitute pecan chips and dried cranberries with almonds, chocolate chunks, or any other dried fruit or nuts you prefer. Just make sure to maintain the same quantity to keep the dough's texture and consistency.
The biscotti needs to be baked until it is lightly golden and firm to the touch. The total time in the oven is approximately thirty minutes at a temperature of about three hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit.
Cooling the biscotti before dipping it in chocolate guarantees that the chocolate doesn't melt off or become too thin. Placing them in the fridge to get very cold will help the chocolate to set faster on the biscotti.
While an electric mixer does make the process easier, you can certainly make this recipe by hand. Just make sure to whisk the eggs and sugar until well combined and then proceed with the rest of the instructions as given.
How to Store Leftovers
Properly storing your leftover chocolate biscotti guarantees that you can enjoy these delicious Italian cookies at any time without compromising on their rich chocolate flavor and crisp texture.
Allow the chocolate biscotti to cool completely on a wire rack before storing. This prevents condensation from forming in the storage container, which can make the biscotti soggy.
Place the biscotti in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. Store the container in the fridge. Your biscotti should retain their flavor and texture for up to a week.
Chocolate biscotti freeze well, making them perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth at a moment's notice. Once cooled, wrap each biscotti individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
You can freeze them for up to three months. To thaw, simply leave them out at room temperature for a few hours before you plan to eat them.
More Recipes You'll Enjoy
- Christmas Spritz Cookies
- Peppermint Glazed Cookies
- Mint Candy Cane Cookies
- Meat Grinder Cookie Recipe
See all cookie recipes and all Christmas recipes.
Recipe Card
Dark Chocolate Biscotti (With Cranberries and Pecans)
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp. almond extract
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- ¾ cup pecan chips
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ½ tbsp. baking powder
- 6.8 oz. Hershey Dark Chocolate bar
Instructions
How to Make the Dough
- Begin by preheating your oven to a temperature of around 350 ℉.
- In the bowl of your electric mixer, combine your eggs and sugar. Beat these ingredients together on a high setting for approximately five minutes until they are well mixed and the sugar has dissolved.
- Next, add almond and vanilla extract to the mixture. Mix these ingredients on a medium speed for about a minute.
- In a separate bowl, combine your dry ingredients: salt, baking powder, and flour. Stir them together using a wire whisk to guarantee that they are evenly distributed.
- Sift this flour mixture into your egg mixture, mixing on a low speed until all of the ingredients are combined.
- Now, add your pecan chips and dried cranberries to the dough. Stir these in on a low setting for a minute, or until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
How to Bake Biscotti
- Dust your cutting board with a little flour and transfer the dough onto it. Shape the dough into a long log and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Using a rolling pin, roll your dough log both across and lengthwise to flatten it. Aim for a log that is roughly 15” long and about 5” wide.
- Place your flattened dough log into the preheated oven and bake it for around 30 minutes at 350 F. Once it is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes before proceeding to the next step.
- Once cooled, slice your biscotti log into 1-inch bars using a serrated knife. Toast each side of these bars for 5 minutes per side at a temperature of 350 ℉, depending on how toasted you prefer your biscotti.
How to Glaze with Chocolate
- While your biscotti is cooling, you can start preparing your chocolate glaze. Break your chocolate into pieces and melt them in a bowl over simmering water, stirring until completely melted.
- Pour about three-fourths of the melted chocolate onto a large, flat plate. Dip each biscotti into this chocolate, then place them on a cutting board lined with wax paper.
- Pour the remaining chocolate into a small zip lock bag, cut a small hole at one corner, and drizzle this chocolate on top of the biscotti. Place your cutting board into the fridge for about 30 minutes to allow the chocolate to set.
- Finally, remove your biscotti from the fridge and carefully peel them off the wax paper. Place them on a tray and they're ready to be served and enjoyed!
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This recipe was originally posted on December 18, 2014 (original picture below), and updated for a better user experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
Janet says
How long will they keep ? I want to make some as gifts for Xmas.
valya'stasteofhome.com says
I didn't keep them longer than a week and they stayed the same. I am making a lot of them for Christmas gifts as well. Thank you very much for trying out my recipes.
Nina says
This recipe turned out wonderfully today! Love this treat. Thank you! 🙂
valya'stasteofhome.com says
They are pretty addicting. Perfect for tea parties and gifts too. 🙂 Thank you for your feedback!
Lily says
These biscotti are so easy to make! Made them once and making them again today. They are so addictive, I can eat them non stop. It kinda gets messy because of the chocolate when you eat it. My kids ate only chocolate from it, oh they were so messy.. I was thinking to use different chocolate that doesn't melt when you touch it. Thank you for the recipe. It's worth making it.
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Try chocolate disks melts. I don't remember my chocolate melted by touching. If the chocolate drys out pretty good, it should not melt just by touching. Hmm... I can't tell why yours did.
lana says
Yum!!!! Just made these and they definitely a keeper recipe, wouldn't change anything:) helpful tip: I read in a magazine that istead of flipping them from side to side just stand them up right and bake once, that way no need for flipping:)
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Thank you Lana!
Natasha says
We made this for Christmas. So totally love em!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
I'm so happy to hear that. We enjoyed ours very much also. Thank you Natasha! 🙂
chrisscheuer says
These look just wonderful! Perfect for dunking in milk, coffee, anything!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
I'm with you Chris! Thank you! 🙂
Lyubomira says
These biscotti look delicious! Love the flavors! Great idea to dip them in chocolate and drizzle some on top, too! Definitely something I should make 🙂
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Thank you Mira! It's so easy to make them. 🙂
PumpkinnSpice says
This biscotti sounds wonderful, Valya! I love the chocolate and cranberry combo. So delicious to dunk into my morning cup of coffee!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
Thank you Gayle! I love dark chocolate and cranberry combination too. Goes really good with coffee and vanilla caramel creamer...Mmm... 🙂
Nina says
...this weekend! And maybe again for Christmas!:)
valya'stasteofhome.com says
if you do make it, let me know how it turned out for you 🙂
Nina says
Mmm.. So delish! I am going to make them this weekend! Thanks for the wonderful recipe Valya!
valya'stasteofhome.com says
You are very welcome Nina! It's truly good stuff. Thanks 🙂