Holiday Favorite Biscotti — Nutrition by Julie (2024)

Written By Julie Balsamo

Unlike many traditional cookies, biscotti are often lower in fat and sugar. Add some heart healthy nuts and you have a satisfying and relatively light treat! This delicious cookie can easily be made vegan & vegetarian friendly.

Holiday Favorite Biscotti — Nutrition by Julie (1)

What is biscotti?

Biscotti is a traditional Italian pastry, baked twice to give them their dry crunchy texture. In fact, the word biscotti derives from ‘bis’, the latin word for twice, and ‘coctum’, the latin word for baked. Their crusty exterior makes them ideal for dipping in hot coffee or tea.

If there’s one treat that reminds me of my childhood, it’s biscotti. My mom and I would spend hours leading up to Christmas mixing and rolling out dough to make the perfect biscotti cookie, often making 75+ in a day. At the end of the night, we would sit together with our mugs full of tea and dip the biscotti into the hot liquid until the chocolate drizzle started to melt.

Every year around the holidays, I receive requests from friends and family for our homemade biscotti. Yes, it’s that good. What everyone doesn’t realize, is just how easy it is to make. For all you ladies (or gentlemen) who have doubts about their baking skills, this recipe is for you!

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Not only are they simple to make, but they stay fresh longer than most other cookies and don’t break as easily. AKA there’s less reason to worry the cookies you’re giving away may become stale or broken before eaten!

During college, I decided to study abroad in Australia for five months. Since making and sharing biscotti had always been associated with such fond memories, I made enough for my mom to have one every single morning until I returned home to the US. That’s close to 150 pieces. She enjoyed them daily, and I took solace in the fact that I could provide her with some kind of comfort even from across the ocean.

So what’s in these delicious and oddly addicting cookies?

Holiday Favorite Biscotti — Nutrition by Julie (24)

Almond Biscotti

Yield: 40

Author: Julie

Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 50 Min

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 cups flour
  • 4 eggs (or egg substitutes)
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tsp almond extract
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds

Instructions

  1. Mix all the ingredients together until well blended. The consistency will be sticky and moist [similar to cookie dough].
  2. Sprinkle flour onto a surface and kneed the dough until smooth and only slightly sticky.
  3. You may need to sprinkle additional flour on top as needed.
  4. Cut the dough in half and roll out each piece to a size of 4 inches by 12 inches and about ½ inch thick.
  5. Place each roll on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 20 minutes for 350 degrees.
  6. Remove from the oven and immediately cut into ½ inch slices.
  7. Turn the oven up to 425 degrees.
  8. Turn each slice on its side and bake for 3 minutes.
  9. Remove and flip each slice. Bake again for 3 minutes. Biscotti should look toasted on each side.

Notes:

If desired, drizzle cooled biscotti with melted dark chocolate.

Calories

70

Fat (grams)

2

Carbs (grams)

12

Sugar (grams)

5

Protein (grams)

1.5

Holiday Favorite Biscotti  — Nutrition by Julie (2024)

FAQs

Holiday Favorite Biscotti — Nutrition by Julie? ›

In terms of health regular cookies are a high-calorie treat because of their higher moisture content, which also causes them to contain more fats and sugars. However, because of their drier texture, biscotti usually have lower fat and sugar content. However, it is vital to practice portion control, for both options.

Is biscotti healthier than cookies? ›

In terms of health regular cookies are a high-calorie treat because of their higher moisture content, which also causes them to contain more fats and sugars. However, because of their drier texture, biscotti usually have lower fat and sugar content. However, it is vital to practice portion control, for both options.

How many carbs are in 1 biscotti? ›

Biscotti (1 cookie) contains 19.7g total carbs, 18.6g net carbs, 6.3g fat, 2.9g protein, and 145 calories.

Why is biscotti so high in calories? ›

Most traditional biscotti recipes include flour, sugar, eggs, butter, oil, or shortening, which can contribute to its calorie and fat content. Some recipes include nuts or dried fruit, which can add healthy fats, fiber, and nutrients. But still, these ingredients add calories to the Biscotti.

Does biscotti have a lot of sugar? ›

Biscotti contains 20 mg of cholesterol, 70 mg of sodium and 9 g of sugar. Of its 4.5 g of fat, biscotti contains 2 g of saturated fat -- 10 percent of the daily value for saturated fat based on a 2,000-calorie diet. A homemade biscotti might contain 20 g of sugar and 5 g of saturated fat.

Are biscotti a healthy snack? ›

Besides, biscotti is also famous for its characteristic of 0% cholesterol - 0% transfat, so it will be a "high-recommended" choice to help lower cholesterol, protect the heart, and prevent heart attacks and strokes.

What are the benefits of biscotti? ›

Effects and Medical Benefits

The indica-dominant characteristics of Biscotti contribute to its relaxing and sedating effects, making it a popular choice for those seeking stress relief, relaxation, and help with sleep issues. It may also provide relief from muscle tension, chronic pain, and inflammation.

What is the glycemic index of biscotti? ›

The glycemic index (GI) of biscotti (dry cookies) equals to 70, which classifies it as a high GI food. The glycemic load (GL) of biscotti (dry cookies) is equal to 35.0, which classifies it as a high GL food.

What is the difference between biscotti and biscotti? ›

The answer requires a bit of context: in Italy, all cookies are called "biscotti" - it's the direct translation of the word "cookies". In a world where every single cookie is called a biscotto (the singular form of the word) there needs to be a word for what we know to be biscotti.

When should I eat biscotti? ›

Since they are very dry, biscotti traditionally are served with a drink into which they may be dunked. In Italy, they are typically served as an after-dinner dessert with a Tuscan fortified wine called Vin Santo. Outside of Italy, they more frequently accompany coffee, including cappuccinos and lattes, or black tea.

Is butter better than oil in biscotti? ›

Despite their centuries-old heritage, there is no one perfect way to make biscotti. Some recipes call for eggs only, which is the traditional method, while others swear by butter or oil. The choice is yours; just keep in mind that those made with butter or oil will have both a softer texture and a shorter shelf life.

Why are biscotti baked twice? ›

Biscotti was baked first to simply cook the ingredients and then a second time to dry them out completely, making them more durable and less-perishable for the long journey.

Are biscotti healthy to lose weight? ›

Unlike many traditional cookies, biscotti are often lower in fat and sugar. Add some heart healthy nuts and you have a satisfying and relatively light treat! This delicious cookie can easily be made vegan & vegetarian friendly.

What is the secret to good biscotti? ›

12 Tips For Making The Absolute Best Biscotti
  • Use room-temperature ingredients. ...
  • Boost the flavor with spices, extracts, and zest. ...
  • Toss in some add-ins for flavor and texture. ...
  • Let the dough chill before shaping. ...
  • Use floured or greased hands to shape the dough. ...
  • Shape the dough into a smaller loaf than you want.
May 29, 2023

What is the point of biscotti? ›

Biscotti are a popular Italian cookie that have been enjoyed in Italy since ancient Roman times. Traditionally baked twice to elongate the cookies' shelf life, they were initially made as a safe food for the Roman Legions to carry in their packs.

What is the difference between biscotti and cookies? ›

Much like cake, cookies are made from a soft, thick dough and are denser than an English biscuit. When they are finished, cookies are larger, softer, and chunkier than their biscuit cousins. In contrast, the word “biscuit” comes from the Latin 'bis' (twice) and 'coquere' (cooked). It essentially means twice baked!

What is healthier than cookies? ›

Oats provide a chewy texture and a satisfying fullness, while dark chocolate offers a rich, sweet flavor. This swap is healthier due to the fiber in oats and antioxidants in dark chocolate, with less sugar overall. The creamy texture and natural sweetness can satisfy cookie cravings.

Is biscotti good for anxiety? ›

Biscotti relaxes the body and the mind, producing a complete, full-body high. It quells social anxiety, allowing users to feel friendly and calm before social events. It's relaxing without overly sedating, making it a perfect choice for daytime use.

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