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Orange Cranberry Biscotti Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 92 reviews

This Orange Cranberry Biscotti recipe produces crisp, flavorful Italian cookies perfect for dipping in coffee or tea. The dough is infused with fresh orange zest and studded with toasted almonds and sweet dried cranberries. Twice-baked to achieve the ideal crunchy texture, these biscotti are a delightful treat for holidays or everyday snacking.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups (300 grams) all purpose plain flour
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt

Add-ins

  • ¾ cup dried sweetened cranberries
  • ½ cup almonds

Wet Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup (75 grams) melted unsalted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • Zest of 1 orange

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Toast Almonds: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes until fragrant and slightly browned. Set aside to cool.
  2. Prepare Baking Sheets: Leave the oven on. Line a large baking sheet or two smaller sheets with non-stick parchment paper to prepare for baking the biscotti logs and slices later.
  3. Infuse Sugar with Orange Zest: Pour the granulated sugar into a large mixing bowl. Finely grate the orange zest directly onto the sugar, then rub it in with your fingertips or the back of a spoon. This flavors the sugar and gives it an appealing color.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine salt to the bowl with the orange-infused sugar. Whisk these dry ingredients together until evenly mixed.
  5. Add Wet Ingredients: Create a well in the center of the dry mixture. Crack the eggs into the well, then add the melted and cooled unsalted butter.
  6. Mix Dough: Using a fork, whisk the wet ingredients together, gradually incorporating the dry ingredients from the sides. Once partially combined, switch to a wooden spoon or clean hands to finish mixing the dough.
  7. Add Nuts and Cranberries: As the dough starts to come together, fold in the toasted almonds and dried sweetened cranberries evenly throughout.
  8. Form Dough Ball: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently just until it forms a cohesive ball. Avoid overkneading to keep the texture tender.
  9. Optional Chilling: If the dough feels sticky, refrigerate it for 30 minutes to make it easier to handle. Otherwise, proceed directly to shaping.
  10. Shape Logs: Divide the dough into three equal portions. Roll each portion into a 12-inch (30 cm) long log. Place the logs on the prepared baking sheet. If desired, smooth the surface of each log with a wet hand for a neater appearance.
  11. First Bake: Bake the logs at 350°F (180°C) for 25 to 30 minutes until they are browned and firm to the touch.
  12. Cool Slightly: Remove the logs from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, which will make slicing easier.
  13. Lower Oven Temperature: Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F (150°C) to prepare for the second bake.
  14. Slice Biscotti: While still warm, cut each log diagonally into 20 slices. Use a sharp serrated knife and, if needed, a gentle sawing motion to prevent crumbling.
  15. Second Bake: Arrange the slices cut side up on the baking sheets. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 10 to 15 minutes until they begin to dry out. This second bake makes the biscotti crisp.
  16. Cool Completely: Transfer the biscotti to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before serving or storing. They will become crunchier as they cool.

Notes

  • For easier slicing, let the biscotti logs cool slightly but slice while still warm.
  • Storing biscotti in an airtight container keeps them fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks.
  • You can substitute almonds with other nuts like pistachios or walnuts if preferred.
  • The dough can be refrigerated for 30 minutes if it’s too sticky to handle easily.
  • Using fresh orange zest is crucial for vibrant flavor; avoid pre-packaged dried zest.

Keywords: biscotti, orange zest, cranberry, almond, Italian cookies, twice-baked, crunchy cookies, holiday cookies, coffee cookies

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/orange-cranberry-biscotti-recipe/