Double Chocolate Biscotti

We’re talking crisped-up-double-chocolatey goodness, perfect for dunking in a warm beverage of choice – top that! Homemade biscotti is easier than you think, & it’ll rock your world.

 It's fully blowing my mind right now that the calendar says it's November. I am in complete denial about it all, while also still loving this season. As baking season continues to ramp up, I tend to fall back in love with some of the simple pleasures in life. One of those simple pleasures that makes life sweeter is biscotti. It's a basic, traditional Italian cookie that is twice-baked and so perfectly classic. Biscotti has accumulated a belief that it is so hard to make and very time consuming.

Although, the truth is far from that. Biscotti is very easy to make, and yes, it is twice baked, but it really is so simple. It is a great way to impress anyone who comes to your home this holiday season, and it also makes for a great gift. I've only seen smiles when I gift this around Christmas time. No frowns allowed. 

For my "real" job, I work at a chocolate factory, and it's a pretty fun job. I work in bean-to-bar chocolate production and on the confections team. So, I'm a pretty big fan of chocolate and all things that showcase this beautiful creation. That's why for this biscotti recipe, we're using the BEST of the BEST. Videri Chocolate Factory's Cocoa Powder sourced from the Dominican Republic and their Classic 70% Dark Chocolate pieces go into this crisp cookie. This isn't your typical Hershey's, because it's so much better. 

What is Biscotti?

Biscotti is a twice-baked Italian cookie. This biscuit is traditionally made with vanilla extract and almonds. You can add any mix-ins, citrus, and flavors that you want. I love changing it up for what I have in my pantry. For this biscotti, I'm loading it up with chocolate. I can't see a problem with that.

So, Biscotti is essentially a cookie that has been baked in a slab, cut into pieces, and then baked again to dry it out a bit more. 

They are known for being more on the dry and crumbly side, because they are traditionally dunked into coffee, an espresso, or a cup of tea. It is so delicious. 

    

How Biscotti is Made

It all starts with a simple cookie dough. From here, you can add in dried fruit, citrus zest, nuts, chocolate chips, toasted coconut, or whatever else you might like. In this biscotti, we're adding cocoa powder and chocolate pieces to make this biscotti a bit more indulgent and brownie-like.

Next, the dough is put on a parchment lined baking sheet and shaped into two logs, baked, and then cooled for about 15 minutes. Once slightly cool, the large cookies are sliced into pieces about 1 inch thick, with a sharp knife, and arranged back on the baking sheet laying cut-side down.

The biscotti are then baked once more to further dry out the cookie's crumb. This gives it the classic biscotti biscuit texture that is perfect for dipping in coffee or tea.

Ingredients You'll Need for Chocolate Lovers' Biscotti

- All Purpose Flour (or use your favorite gluten free flour blend)

- Cocoa Powder, unsweetened (I recommend this one from Videri)

- Baking Soda

- Kosher Salt

- Cinnamon, ground

- Unsalted Butter, softened

- Eggs

- Vanilla Extract

- Chocolate Chunks, Chips, or Chopped Chocolate (I recommend these from Videri)

           

Steps to Make Homemade Chocolate Biscotti

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside. 

3. In the bowl of an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar and beat until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing in between and scraping the sides of the bowl.

4. Add in the vanilla extract and beat until fully combined. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined. Add the baking chocolate and stir.

5. Dust a work surface with flour and scrape the sticky dough out on the work surface. Dust the top with flour. Using your hands, shape the dough into a ball and cut in half. Form each half into two logs. Place on the lined baking sheet and shape the dough log to be about ¾ inch high and 2 inches wide.

6. Bake for 35 minutes, or until set and firm to the touch. Let the biscotti cool for 5-10 minutes on the pan. Using a sharp knife, slice the logs into ¾ inch slices. Don’t worry if some of the pieces crumble a bit.

7. Lay each piece on its side on the baking sheet (so the cut side faces down,) and place back in the oven for 10-15 minutes to crisp up. Let cool completely and enjoy! (Preferably with Videri Hot Chocolate - it's the best.)

Other Cookie Recipes to Check Out

Looking for cookies to make for your next cookie swap this holiday season? Browse the delicious options below.

Gluten Free Biscotti are such a delicious treat and so easy to pull together to impress a crowd, and they’re so versatile. Chocolate, fruit, coconut, and the list goes on.  I love putting dried blueberries, orange zest, and pistachios in mine, and you can find that (gluten free!!) recipe on my website.

Can't decide between cake or cookies? Well, you don't have to. These Gluten Free Coffee Cake Cookies are the perfect collaboration of the two. They're soft, tender, and packed with flavor. They taste just like coffee cake, even down to the streusel topping. Come on, yuuum! Recipe modifications are available to make gluten free or regular cookies.

Is your oven tied up with other holiday meal prep? These no-bake goodies are disguised as a snack, breakfast, or even dessert - Blueberry White Chocolate Protein Bites are the perfect (gluten free) bite that is packed with protein and nutrition. Not to mention, they're ridiculously delicious and sooo easy to throw together.

I love a classic cookie, but I also love a cookie that is a bit edgy and breaks the boundaries a little. These Blueberry Olive Oil Cookies with pistachios and white chocolate chunks are just the thing to step it up a notch. 

A perfect nostalgic cookie that is quick and simple to throw together and will transport you back to childhood. There’s nothing like an Oatmeal Cream Pie, and these are the very best. Plus, these can be made gluten free.

made the recipe?

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