Chocolate-Covered Almond Biscotti
Chocolate Almond Biscotti are twice-baked Italian cookies paired with orange zest, toasted almonds and melted, smooth chocolate. Absolutely delicious for the holidays or any occasion.
I feel like my kitchen is turned into a cookie workshop every December. Not that I’m complaining (and Mr. Wishes is definitely not complaining either)! I am embracing my Italian roots more this year and whipping out some delicious and traditional holiday Italian cookies, because in my opinion, they really are the best. Nothing says “Christmas” like the Italian cookies, right? I have made biscotti many times before but I have always used the same recipe (this Chocolate Chip version) because I figure why mess with a good thing, but I decided I really need to change it up once in a while and maybe I will find something I like even better. Change is hard for me – I like to stick with what I know! But if that were always the case, you would have five total recipes on this website to peruse. I loved the combination of the orange, chocolate, and almond together. These almond biscotti are a wonderfully crunchy cookie and perfect for dipping in your hot tea or coffee.
I almost didn’t add the chocolate or I decided that I was just going to drizzle them with chocolate in the end. I’m glad I went for the straight dunk and the chocolate is a nice addition. I really don’t think they would stand out as much without it. And how pretty do they look with the crushed almonds?
I baked the biscotti dough on Silpat baking sheets and had no problems with sticking but if you don’t own these mats make sure you grease and flour your baking sheets well. This is a really easy and great recipe if you give away baked goods as gifts to friends and family for the holidays. Not just because of the taste, but they actually keep really well as biscotti are more of a crunchy/dry cookie and stay fresh when stored. You would also be everyone’s favorite person if you bring these to a cookie exchange. Just saying…
I promise you it will be hard to eat store bought biscotti after trying this one. If you like Italian cookies for the holidays, you might also want to check out my Almond Macaroons or my Anisette cookies. Enjoy!
The slicing process.
- ⅓ cup butter
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate discs (for melting)
- ¾ cup toasted almonds, crushed (measured after crushing)
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a large baking sheet.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, vanilla, almond extract, and zest. Combine flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Stir into the creamed mixture until just blended. Mix in almonds. Divide dough into two pieces. Form into long flat loaves about ½ inch tall and 12 inches long. Place the loaves 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until a light golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
- With a serrated knife, cut diagonally into slices about ½ inch thick. Lay the slices flat on the baking sheet. Bake for 12 additional minutes, turning over once halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Place chocolate into a small, microwave-safe bowl. Melt chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 20 to 30 seconds until smooth or just follow directions on bag.
- Dip or use a spatula to spread chocolate onto one side of each cookie. I found it easier to use spatula to get it nice and even.
- Sprinkle immediately with almond pieces - before the chocolate hardens.
- Let stand at room temperature until set. Store biscotti at room temperature in an airtight container.
Recipe source: adapted from allrecipes.com
I adore biscotti and looking at yours make me so hungry now….in the middle of the night! 😀 I love that you add orange zest in them to brighten up the flavor!
These are so pretty! Anybody would be lucky to receive this as a gift from you!
Biscotti is definitely something I associate with Christmas. Sitting in front of a fire, dipping a biscotti into a latte sounds like the perfect way to spend an afternoon during the holidays. And these ones look wonderful!
I really need to get on the ball and make some biscotti! My hubby would love it!
These look delicious
Never made biscotti! And I love them — should really try this recipe. Terrific recipe — thanks.
Ashley, I’m such a big fan of biscotti and I was totally thinking about squeezing in a batch this week…it’s gotta happen now! I absolutely love your chocolate-almond combination and so great with the orange zest and those extracts. I love everything about it! And I want to work in your cookie workshop/kitchen. : )
I LOVE cookie workshops!! What’s your address, again? ;-)))
Lovin’ the biscotti, especially the chocolaty bit!!
these biscotti are SO pretty!!! I love that they’re chocolate covered with almonds, mmmm
This biscotti looks awesome, I would be happy to eat this on a minute basis 😛
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I’ve never made biscotti, but I would love to try! These sound so delicious. I’m pinning these and keeping them in mind for Christmas gifts! 🙂
I love biscotti, and yours looks divine!!
I’d like a dozen shipped to me as soon as possible please! 🙂 I love the addition of the orange zest (goes great with chocolate and almond)!!
These look so good! They would be perfect with a hot cup of coffee on a cold day. They are really pretty, too.
Now there are some great looking Italian biscotti! I would love some with my coffee tomorrow.
Beautiful looking biscotti! This would go perfect with a cup of tea.
My grandmother was the best biscotti baker! I’ve not yet tried to make a gluten and sugar free one but these look just perfect!
These would make a perfect Christmas gift! They look great!
I’ve never had good luck at making pretty biscotti. Yours look perfect!
Yes, chocolate, orange and almond is the perfect combination; love the way these sound and look. Delish!
Beautiful biscotti! Dipped in chocolate is the best 🙂
My kitchen has now become a cookie factory. I love the holidays. You can never go wrong with dunking biscotti in chocolate (or anything else, really) Love these so hard.
This is the perfect coffee and Christmas cookie. I would eat these for breakfast every day if allowed…hehe 🙂
I would never, ever turn away anything with chocolate and almond. I love that you added a little orange, too – irresistible!
Neat! I didn’t know biscotti were twice baked. I love the flavors here, too!
Back in college, there was this coffee shop called Saxby’s. It’s a chain but not as big as Starbucks and my young rebel self went there instead of the big chain. They had the BEST coffee and always had tons of biscotti in different flavors. I am loving this one you made! It reminds me of my younger years and makes me wish I was still sitting there, sipping that coffee and noshing on one of these.
I would be all over this biscotti. It’s gorgeous.
I’ve got biscotti on the brain and seeing these makes me want them even more! Looks delicious!
I love making biscotti. It’s so easy to create! I like using cake flour to make mine. I like a tighter crumb.