Biscotti are crunchy, chewy cookies of Italian origin. This is a guide to copying Barefoot Contessa’s biscotti recipe. Biscotti are typically baked with almonds and taste great as an after-dinner snack or dessert. If you find yourself craving the simple pleasure of a crispy, almondy, chocolate chip-like biscotti that stays soft and chewy, try our favorite Barefoot Contessa Biscotti recipe made with all-natural ingredients.
This recipe only requires some basic, readily available pantry ingredients. And to save time, the dough is excellent to make ahead of time, freeze for later use, then bake just before serving.
Try this versatile recipe for a light bite anytime.
Barefoot Contessa Biscotti Recipe:
How to Make Barefoot Contessa Biscotti
Barefoot Contessa Biscotti Recipe
Equipment
- Large baking sheets
- Medium & small bowls
- Electric egg beaters
- Nonstick pans
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 tbsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tbsp. salt
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 3 yolks eggs
- 3 tbsp. unssalted butter
- 1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease two large baking sheets. Place one sheet in the oven while it preheats.
- Whisk together the sugar, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Add the flour and mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Beat the egg yolks in a small bowl, and then stir into half of the remaining dry ingredient mixture. Using electric beaters, blend in the melted butter. Then fold in the rest of the dry ingredients just enough to combine them.
- Place the second sheet of dough onto the hot, greased pans. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions, and shape these pieces into log shapes about 12 inches long.
- Score the top into rectangles, then cut off any excess dough to ensure a clean cut. Sprinkle the tops with the reserved flour – don’t skip this step or they will be tough and rubbery once cooked.
- Bake cookies for about 20 minutes or until firm but not browned. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the racks. Repeat with the remaining butter.
- Once cooled, get ready for the slicing. Carefully pick up each dough by its scored ends and lay it on its side on a cutting board. Hold one end tightly against a straightedge such as a knife and run the other end of the log over the straightedge.
- Assemble Cookies: Split each piece down the middle so you have two flat biscotti halves and sprinkle lightly with flour Roll into cylinders about 15 inches long by 3-4 inches wide. Slice each cylinder into six strips and roll these between your palms to shape the strips again.
- Wrap each strip around itself several times to help bind the slices together. Arrange on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle with more flour. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Serve as desired or store in airtight containers for up to 7 days.
Video
Notes
Serving Barefoot Contessa Biscotti
You can serve barefoot contessa biscotti plain or topped with icing or honey. Place sliced biscotti on a platter and top appropriately. You can also add powdered cinnamon to the topping.
Serve biscotti with coffee, milk, or tea. Cut thinly into wedges and drizzle melted chocolate over them. Or just enjoy it straight from the package with your favorite beverage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are biscotti healthy?
Biscotti are generally considered to be a healthier option compared to some other types of cookies or baked goods because they are relatively low in fat and sugar, and they are made with whole grain flour, which provides some dietary fiber. However, it’s important to keep in mind that biscotti are still a treat and should be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet. One even healthier Barefoot Contessa dessert that we recommend is her baked French toast casserole.
What kind of flour is best for biscotti?
The best biscotti is a crunchy biscotti. The idea of double baking is to bring out a crispy outcome. You can use any all-purpose wheat flour in your recipe.
However, if you are keen on having a good texture and a higher percentage of proteins in your biscotti, you can go for Almond flour.
Why is my biscotti not crispy?
Your biscotti is not crispy because of underbaking. You strictly need to bake your biscotti twice. The longer the time in the oven the tougher the biscotti.
Why do my biscotti crumble when I cut them?
That is probably because you didn’t give it time to cool. The double baking technique in the biscotti recipe is to ensure that it takes as much time to drain excess moisture. The process is often to achieve a non-crumbling outcome.
Why are my biscotti so hard?
Your biscotti is hard because you overcooked it in the oven. Time is a factor in baking your biscotti. The second baking period should have a lowered heat in the oven and the stay should not exceed 20 minutes.
Why did my biscotti crack?
Biscotti cracks due to different possibilities. The Barefoot Contessa recipe requires you to combine the mixtures correctly. The mixtures should be evenly distributed.
Overcooking can also cause biscotti to crack. Too much exposure to heat means the moisture is continuously absorbed making them hard to a point of cracking.
Why is my biscotti dough so sticky?
Your biscotti is sticky because you used less ratio of flour in the mixture. To avoid that, ensure that the ratio is proportional all the time. Adding more flour can help sort out the stickiness.
Can I use oil instead of butter in biscotti?
Yes, you can use oil in place of butter. There is no single approach to preparing biscotti. Some bakers use butter and others go for oil. It depends on your preference and your precision in using the available ingredients
Does biscotti freeze well?
Yes, it does. You can freeze your biscotti for not more than four months. It’s also advisable to freeze biscotti dough ahead of time before baking them.
Do biscotti harden as they cool?
Cooling biscotti facilitates slicing. So as they cool, biscotti tends to become tough.
How do you tell if biscotti is done?
You can tell your biscotti is well-done if:
- It’s golden brown.
- Doesn’t crumble when cut.
- If it is tough enough.
Conclusion
Preparing some sweet homemade barefoot contessa biscotti has never been this easy. Make some fresh with a few simple changes to your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and bake away.
With our easy-to-follow barefoot contessa biscotti recipe, you get to enjoy these crispy treats anytime you want them.
READ ALSO: Ingredients for Apple Martini.
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