Chocolate Almond Biscotti, also known as Cantucci, a twice baked Italian cookie, this traditional Italian Chocolate Cookie is made with whole roasted almonds. A definite holiday treat.
Chocolate Almond Biscotti
a special treat in our house, always made during the Christmas season.
I have been perfecting these Almond Biscotti for awhile now, the first few batches I made with butter and no honey, one completely fell apart after the first bake and one batch I was so fed up with, I made it into one big log.
Not a good idea!
But then after having a couple of conversations with some of my Italian family members and friends I discovered that true biscotti has no butter and yes a teaspoon or two of honey is recommended.
Did you know that honey gives these Cantucci the crunchiness that they are famous for. More honey more crunchiness. But I think a teaspoon or a teaspoon and a half is all you really need.
Our friend told us that when his father made them he would add so much honey that they would almost break your teeth. That I don’t need.
Chocolate Almond Biscotti
These biscuits originated from Prato a city in Tuscany, and are usually served with an Italian Dessert wine, called Vin Santo. But we like them dipped in regular wine or a strong espresso.
Or why not dip them in some melted chocolate and call them Double Chocolate Biscotti!
More Chocolate Desserts you may enjoy!
Easy Chocolate Chip Whipped Shortbread
Italian Chocolate Pastry Cream
Big Double Chocolate Chip Muffins
What you will need to make these Delicious Chocolate Almond Biscotti.
Wire Rack – When making cookies a wire rack is must have.
Hand Beater – This is something I use constantly. Nothing like a good hand beater.
Pastry Brush – Perfect for brushing on an egg wash or milk.
Honey – A must ingredient in Biscotti.
Whether you call these Traditional Italian Chocolate Almond Biscotti, Cantucci or Biscotti, I think you will find them very tasty and so easy to make. They are a perfectly delicious addition to your holiday baking. Enjoy!
- 3/4 cup whole skinned almonds
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 - 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- zest from 1/2 orange
- 3 1/2 ounces dark chocolate (good quality)
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Pre-heat oven to 350°. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
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On an unlined cookie sheet toast almonds for approximately 5 minutes in the pre-heated oven. Remove from oven and let cool.
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In a medium bowl beat eggs and sugar to combine, then add flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder, honey, vanilla and zest and combine with a wooden spoon, then fold in the almonds.
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Move to a lightly floured flat surface and gently knead into a soft dough.
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Divide into 2-3 parts and form into 2-3 logs (I found 3 logs to be just right). Approximately 8-10 inches long, place on prepared cookie sheet and brush with beaten egg (a small egg), bake for approximately 20 minutes.
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Remove from oven and cut each log into 1/4 inch slices on the diagonal, place cut side up on the cookie sheet and bake again for approximately 5-10 minutes or until dry. Let cool completely before dipping in melted chocolate. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
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Maria says
We all loved these biscotti. I overbaked them initially as I thought that they were not hard enough but soon realized that upon drying and cooling they harden quite a bit. But then I made the dough again but changed the cacao for equal part extra flour and instead of almonds did pistachios and also added dried cherries. I decided to flatten the loaf a big so the biscotti came out longer once sliced . I also had good success with two loaves as a post to three.They too were delicious! Thank you
Rosemary says
Hi Maria, thanks so much, glad you enjoyed them and great idea with the change up. If you like them even harder just add a little more honey and a little less sugar. 🙂