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!

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

What is the nutritional value of biscotti? ›

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

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.

Is biscotti a healthy snack? ›

Biscotti boasts a health-conscious edge. Packed with nutrients, it can be a smart snack option for those looking to infuse their diet with goodness and can order it from our cookie shop. Almonds provide essential vitamins and minerals, making this delightful biscuit not just a tasty indulgence but a nutritious one too.

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.

Are biscotti high in sugar? ›

Nutrition Facts

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.

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.

What is the healthiest cookie brand? ›

Hu's whole line of cookies is squeaky clean–the ingredients include organic coconut oil, organic cocoa butter, cassava flour, cashew flour, free-range eggs, and flax seeds. The thing that makes Hu's cookies the best of the Best Stuff is that they are sweetened with dates rather than any sugar at all.

Why do people eat biscotti? ›

Biscotti can be a sweet accompaniment to various beverages, such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or even a glass of wine. Some people like to dip their Biscotti in the drink for added flavor. It also can be served as a side dish for breakfast or brunch with items such as yogurt, fruits, or granola.

What is the unhealthiest biscuit? ›

Walkers Shortbread

Walkers Shortbread rounds takes the title for worst biscuit for saturated fat in our healthiest biscuits round-up, plus they're high in calories and fat overall. Jane adds: "As one biscuit is 93 calories, if you are dieting these aren't the best option as you would probably could only have one."

What are the effects 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.

Do Italians eat biscotti for breakfast? ›

Italian breakfast biscotti are a fantastic way of adding some sustenance to our morning coffee ritual. Biscotti da inzuppare (biscuits for dipping) are an all-time classic. They're quite easy to make and they're delicious - especially when you follow our Italian breakfast recipe!

Is biscotti a breakfast or dessert? ›

I just love these Italian “S” shaped cookies otherwise known as biscotti. They are lightly sweetened, taste of vanilla and anise, and are perfectly served with a cup of coffee or tea at breakfast, for snack, or for dessert.

Do biscotti have any nutritional value? ›

32 g of Cookie, biscotti contains 5.76 mcg vitamin A, 0.1 mg vitamin C, 0.06 mcg vitamin D as well as 0.86 mg of iron, 35.52 mg of calcium, 27 mg of potassium. Cookie, biscotti belong to 'Cookies and brownies' food category.

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.

Is it okay to eat a cookie once in a while? ›

Absolutely! My point is this: I ate a cookie every day, it only added 130 calories per day and on a 1800 calorie/day plan it's a very small part overall! If you ate something that's perceived as not healthy, that's okay! One cookie doesn't change your diet plan all that much.”

Why is biscotti good? ›

The hardness of the biscotti is perfect for absorbing the heated liquid of your coffee and combining the bitter beans with the sweetness of your dessert (or breakfast) as the case may be. The Vino Dunk – Purists would say the only liquid to dip your biscotti in is wine.

Are biscotti high in fiber? ›

Biscotti are twice-baked cookies that are usually very crunchy and work well dipped in your favorite coffee beverage. These ones taste even better than the coffee-shop version, and they're full of fiber and other good-for-you ingredients.

Is biscotti considered a bread? ›

Today, I want to share a little bit about Italian cookies called Biscotti. Biscotti, also known as cantuccini or mandelbrot (Mandel bread), are traditional Italian cookies with a long history and rich cultural significance.

Are biscotti high in carbs? ›

Biscotti are high-carb treats, with a substantial 65.6g of net carbs per 100g. For comparison, consider that a strict 20g net carb per day keto would almost touch its daily limit with just 30g of biscotti, roughly equivalent to a large piece.

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