Homemade Biscotti - Budget Bytes

I’m sure we all know by now that making coffee at home instead of hitting the drive-through can save you a TON of money over time, but those little side treats and baked goods also add up! So, let’s make some homemade biscotti to elevate your entire homemade coffee experience and squash that temptation to go to the drive-through once and for all. They can be made into a million different flavors, they’re super easy, and freezer-friendly so you can work your way through a batch over time. Budget WIN!

Scattered biscotti on a surface with a cup of coffee.

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“This recipe is exceptional! Do not hesitate to make these. I was so pleased with the outcome. I used organic whole white flour and organic cane sugar and semi sweet chocolate for the drizzle and they turned out fantastic. I think they are better than cookies, not overly sweet, very satisfying! The whole family loved them. Will add to my regular rotation. Appreciate the simplicity. Thank you!”

Pat

What is Biscotti?

Biscotti, also known as cantucci, are Italian biscuits (or cookies) that are baked twice to yield a deliciously crunchy texture that is perfect for dunking into your favorite hot beverage. The American versions are typically slightly softer and sweeter than traditional Italian recipes; they come in a variety of flavors and are often dipped in chocolate. The recipe we have here today is definitely American-style, similar to what you’d find in coffee shops across the U.S.

To make a simple homemade biscotti, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Flour: The base for any biscuit or cookie! We used all-purpose flour to keep the recipe simple. If you experiment with a different type of flour, keep in mind that you may need to adjust the amount of flour to keep the same moisture ratio in the dough.
Baking Powder: This is the leavening agent for the dough. They’re not a super light and airy cookie, so not a lot of leavening is needed.
Sugar: These treats are a little on the sweet side but not quite as sweet as a typical cookie. We use white granulated sugar to provide sweetness and keep a crispy texture.
Butter: Using butter as the fat provides a lot of flavor and helps keep the texture nice and crispy.
Eggs: Acts as a binder and provides a little moisture to the dough, so they stay just a little bit soft in the center.
Vanilla or Almond Extract: A little bit of extract gives the dough just a hint of flavor. Almond is typical, but we’ve used vanilla, which goes nicely with the white chocolate we used for decorating.

What Else Can I Add?

This is where things get FUN. You can add so many different ingredients and make a million different fun flavor combinations. Here are some of my favorite additions:

Chocolate chips or cocoa powder (stir into the flour)
Dried fruit
Chopped nuts
Cinnamon, cardamom, or other ground spices
Citrus zest
Instant coffee
Matcha
Coconut
Other flavor extracts (lemon, orange, peppermint, etc.)
Dip each cookie into melted chocolate or drizzle with a flavored icing

You really don’t need much to make this recipe, just a few pantry staples, which means they’re typically going to be very budget-friendly (about $0.17 each!). Plus, the recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any special equipment or advanced baking skills. This makes it a great option for beginner bakers or those looking to save some money while satisfying their sweet tooth. And with endless flavor possibilities, you can easily adapt this recipe to your personal taste preferences and use up whatever you already have to hand!

Biscotti lined up in a row showing different decorations.

Storage Instructions

Allow your homemade biscotti to cool completely to room temperature before storing to avoid trapping any steam or moisture. Once cooled, store them in an air-tight container for up to two weeks. They can also be wrapped tightly and frozen for longer storage. Thaw at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving.

Variations

Need some flavor combination ideas? Well, you’re in luck. I’ve tried and tested tons of variations for this already delicious base recipe, and I can’t wait for you to try them!

Almond Apricot

Wow. This combination is pure magic. Add a handful of chopped dried apricots and some almond extract to the dough to create the most delicious almond apricot biscotti. It’s sweet, nutty, and perfect with a cup of coffee.

Cinnamon Spice

I always make this variation come Christmastime! Mix in some ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves to the dough to create a warm and cozy cinnamon spice biscotti. And I know I’ve listed the cinnamon sugar topping as ‘optional,’… but come on, it’s the holidays- go all out and sprinkle some on top!

Double Chocolate

I’d never say no to chocolate once, let alone TWICE. Cocoa powder is a delicious addition to this biscuit dough, as are chocolate chips! This variation also works with added extras, like orange extract (chocolate orange is always delicious) and peppermint extract. Trust me; it’s heavenly.

Cranberry Almond

Add any leftover dried cranberries and pecans from your holiday baking to this recipe for a festive cranberry almond biscotti! The tartness of the cranberries pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the dough, and the crunch of the almonds adds a lovely texture. Pecans also work great here! As would a drizzle of white chocolate.

biscotti scattered on a surface with a cooling rack and cup of coffee.

Homemade Biscotti Recipe

Homemade biscotti are a simple sweet treat that are endlessly customizable and are the perfect companion for a hot cup of homemade coffee.

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2 cups all-purpose flour ($0.28)
1 tsp baking powder ($0.06)
1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)
1/4 tsp nutmeg ($0.02)
1 cup granulated sugar ($0.39)
4 Tbsp butter, room temperature ($0.56)
2 large eggs ($0.49)
1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract ($0.29)
1/4 lb. white chocolate (optional for decorating) ($1.00)

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
In a separate bowl, beat together the sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract with a mixer until mostly smooth (a few small lumps of butter is okay).
Add the dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients and stir together until it forms a ball of dough.
Divide the dough into two and shape each one into a flattened log about eight inches long and 2-3 inches wide. Place the logs on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake the logs for about 25 minutes, or until lightly golden on the edges and there are a few cracks in the top of the dough.
Carefully transfer the logs to a cutting board and use a finely serrated bread knife to slice them, on a diagonal, into ½-inch wide pieces.
Place the slices back onto the baking sheet, laying flat, and bake for another 5 minutes. Remove the baking sheet, flip them over, and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely before decorating with melted chocolate (if desired). Enjoy with a hot cup of coffee!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Serving: 1biscottiCalories: 158kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSodium: 90mgFiber: 0.4g

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How to Make Biscotti – Step by Step Photos

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp nutmeg in a large bowl. Stir until well combined.

wet ingredients for biscotti in a mixing bowl, not yet mixed.

In a separate mixing bowl, add 1 cup sugar, 4 Tbsp room temperature butter, 2 large eggs, and ½ tsp vanilla extract.

Mixed wet ingredients in the bowl with a hand mixer.

Use a mixer to combine the wet ingredients until mostly smooth (there may still be a few small pieces of butter).

Wet and dry ingredients combined into a ball of dough.

Add the dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients and stir until it forms a ball of dough.

Divided and shaped biscotti dough on a baking sheet.

Divide the dough in half and form each half into a flattened log about 8 inches long and 2-3 inches wide. Place the logs on a parchment-lined baking sheet.