Twice Baked Cookies Recipe (Italian Almond Biscotti)

Twice baked cookies like these Almond Biscotti with Butter are wonderfully crisp, rich in flavor, and perfect for dipping into coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

Packed with toasted almonds and made with simple pantry ingredients, these classic Italian cookies have a delightful crunch and a buttery texture that makes them irresistible.

If you've ever thought biscotti were difficult to make, you'll be surprised to know that they come together in just a few simple steps.

The dough is easy to prepare, requires no special equipment, and the result is a batch of beautifully golden almond biscotti that stay fresh for weeks.

Whether you're making them for a holiday cookie tray, gifting them to friends, or simply enjoying them with your morning coffee, this homemade almond biscotti recipe is one you'll want to make again and again.

Why Is It Called Biscotti?

The word biscotti comes from the Latin word biscoctus, which means "twice baked."

This name perfectly describes how biscotti are made. First, the dough is shaped into logs and baked. Then the baked logs are sliced and baked again. This second bake removes moisture from the cookies and creates their signature crisp texture.

Traditional Italian biscotti were originally created as long-lasting cookies that could be stored for extended periods without spoiling. Their dry texture made them ideal for travelers and sailors. Today, biscotti are loved around the world and are often served alongside coffee, cappuccino, espresso, or dessert wines.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients
• Rich buttery flavor
• Crisp and crunchy texture
• Loaded with toasted almonds
• Perfect for gifting
• Keeps fresh for weeks
• No mixer required

Biscotti Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 300 g (2 ⅓ cups) all-purpose flour
• 4 g (1 teaspoon) baking powder
• 1.5 g (¼ teaspoon) salt

Wet Ingredients

• 75 g (⅓ cup) softened butter
• 200 g (1 cup) sugar
• 1 g Zest of 1 lemon (or ½ teaspoon lemon zest)
• 5 ml (1 teaspoon) vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs

Add-ins

• 150 g or 1 cup toasted almonds

How to Make Almond Biscotti

We can make these almond biscotti in 3 simple steps:

1. Prepare the biscotti dough
2. Shape and bake
3. Slice and bake again

Let's look at each step in detail.

Step 1: Prepare the Biscotti Dough

Take a large mixing bowl.

Add:

• Softened butter
• Sugar
• Lemon zest
• Vanilla extract
• Eggs

Mix everything together until well combined.

The mixture does not need to become light and fluffy. Simply mixing until the ingredients are evenly incorporated is enough.

In another bowl, whisk together:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Adding the baking powder to the flour first helps distribute it evenly throughout the dough.

Add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients.

Mix until a dough begins to form.

Now add the toasted almonds and combine everything together until you get a thick biscotti dough.

The dough will be slightly sticky but should hold its shape.

Step 2: Shape and Bake

Divide the dough into two equal portions.

Shape each portion into a log.

Place the logs onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Make sure to leave enough space between the logs because they will spread and expand slightly during baking.

For even baking, try to shape both logs with uniform thickness from end to end.

Give an egg wash(optional) to get nice shine and golden brown color on top when baked.

Bake in a preheated oven at: 350°F (180°C) for 25–30 minutes, or until lightly golden.

The logs should feel set when gently touched.

Remove them from the oven.

Reduce the oven temperature to: 300°F (150°C)

Allow the baked logs to cool for approximately 15 minutes before slicing.

This cooling period is important.

If the logs are still very hot, they may crumble and break while slicing. Allowing them to cool slightly helps create cleaner cuts.

Step 3: Slice and Bake Again

Using a sharp serrated knife, slice the logs into cookies of equal thickness.

Try to keep the slices around ½ inch (1.25 cm) thick for the best texture.

Arrange the slices on the baking sheet.

Place them back into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes at 300°F (150°C).

The second bake is what transforms the cookies into classic biscotti.

How Long Should You Bake Biscotti the Second Time?

The second baking time has a big impact on the final texture.

• Too little baking time and the biscotti will remain soft.
• Too much baking time and the biscotti can become overly hard.

In my experience, 15-18 minutes of second baking at 300 F or 150 C yields biscotti that are delightfully crisp with just the right amount of tenderness.

When removed from the oven, the biscotti may still feel slightly soft.

Don't worry.

They will continue to crisp up as they cool.

Allow them to cool completely before storing.

Tips for Perfect Biscotti

Use Toasted Almonds

Toasting the almonds before adding them to the dough enhances their flavor and gives the biscotti a richer taste.

Shape Even Logs

Uniform logs help the biscotti bake evenly and create slices of consistent size.

Let the Logs Cool Before Slicing

Patience pays off here. Waiting about 15 minutes makes slicing much easier and reduces crumbling.

Use a Serrated Knife

A serrated bread knife produces cleaner slices and prevents the biscotti from breaking.

Don't Overbake

Remember that biscotti continue to firm up as they cool.

If they seem slightly soft when you remove them from the oven, that's perfectly normal.

Italian Almond Biscotti Recipe with Butter: Step by step Video

Ingredient Substitutions

Butter

You can replace the butter with an equal amount of neutral-flavored oil such as light olive oil or vegetable oil.

However, butter provides a richer flavor and a more tender crumb.

Lemon Zest

Orange zest works beautifully in this recipe and pairs wonderfully with almonds.

You can also omit the citrus zest if preferred.

Vanilla Extract

Almond extract can be substituted for part of the vanilla extract for a stronger almond flavor.

Use only ½ teaspoon almond extract because it is much more concentrated.

Almonds

You can replace almonds with:

• Pistachios
• Hazelnuts
• Pecans
• Walnuts

Each variation creates a unique biscotti flavor.

Sugar

Granulated white sugar works best.

You may substitute part of the sugar with light brown sugar for a slightly deeper flavor.

Variations

Chocolate Almond Biscotti

Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the dough.

Cranberry Almond Biscotti

Add ½ cup dried cranberries for a festive flavor.

Orange Almond Biscotti

Replace the lemon zest with orange zest.

Almond Chocolate Drizzle

Once cooled, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the biscotti for an elegant finish.

How to Serve Biscotti

Biscotti are traditionally served with:

• Coffee
• Espresso
• Cappuccino
• Tea
• Hot chocolate

Many people enjoy dipping biscotti into their favorite hot beverage for a few seconds before eating.

The crisp cookies soften slightly and become wonderfully flavorful.

Storage Instructions

One of the best things about biscotti is their long shelf life.

Room Temperature

Store completely cooled biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature.

They will stay fresh for up to 3 weeks.

Freezer

For longer storage, freeze the biscotti in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag.

They can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Allow them to come to room temperature before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my biscotti soft?

They likely need a little more time during the second bake.

Remember that biscotti become crisp only after sufficient moisture has been removed.

Why did my biscotti crumble while slicing?

The logs were probably sliced while still too hot.

Allow them to cool for about 15 minutes before cutting.

Can I make biscotti ahead of time?

Yes. Biscotti are ideal make-ahead cookies because they stay fresh for weeks.

Do biscotti need butter?

Traditional biscotti recipes often contain little or no butter, but adding butter creates a richer flavor and a slightly more tender texture while still producing wonderfully crisp cookies.

Enjoy Homemade Almond Biscotti.

These Almond Biscotti with Butter are simple, elegant, and incredibly delicious. With their crisp texture, rich buttery flavor, and crunchy toasted almonds, they make the perfect companion to a cup of coffee or tea.

Since they require only a handful of basic ingredients and can be made in three simple steps, this recipe is ideal for both beginner and experienced bakers.

Bake a batch today, and you'll soon discover why these classic Italian twice-baked cookies have remained a favorite for generations.