Lemon Biscotti
Lemon biscotti are a delightful Italian treat, characterized by their crisp texture and refreshing citrus flavor.
Made with ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and lemon juice and zest, these twice-baked cookies are perfect for dipping into coffee or tea. The addition of almonds or other nuts can enhance their texture and flavor, while a light glaze of lemon icing can add sweetness. They’re an ideal snack for any time of day, offering a zesty twist on the classic biscotti.
Quick to prepare, these follow the classic pattern for biscotti.
More about Biscotti
- Biscotti are Italian almond biscuits originating in the city of Prato, Tuscany.
- They are twice-baked, oblong-shaped, dry, and crunchy.
- In Italian, the word biscotti is used all types of biscuits or cookies.
- Biscotti may be customized with nuts, chocolate and bits of dried fruit or whole dried fruit such as cranberries.
- Always use a serrated knife in a sawing motion to cut biscotti as this will help prevent crumbling.
- Biscotti are a wonderful addition to a holiday dessert tray.
- Biscotti are best when dipped into the beverage of your choice, such as tea, coffee or even wine!
How long will Biscotti last?
If stored properly, homemade biscotti will last anywhere from ten days to two weeks.
- The biscotti should be completely cooled before storing (use a wire rack to cool them so that the cookies will crisp well on both sides)
- Store biscotti in a loosely covered glass jar or tin (metal) container (what the container is made of makes a difference)
- It helps to line the jar or tin with a paper towel, but it is not necessary.
How to make Lemon-Pistachio Biscotti
Add 1 1/2 cups shelled pistachios, toasted, coarsely chopped, just before chilling the dough.
More Biscotti recipes…
Lemon Biscotti
Quick to prepare, these follow the classic pattern for biscotti. The dough is first baked as a log, then it is sliced and baked again for a crisp result. The optional lemon glaze brightens this otherwise plain cookie.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: varies
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Biscotti
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 2 large eggs
- 1 lemon, zested (about 2 teaspoons zest)
- 1 lemon, juiced (about 2 tablespoons juice)
Glaze (optional)
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 3 tablespoons strained lemon juice
Instructions
Biscotti
- Mix together flour, granulated sugar, salt and baking powder.
- Rub in butter with fingertips or pastry blender until mixture resembles cornmeal.
- Whisk eggs with lemon zest and lemon juice.
- Stir in flour mixture with fork until dough holds together.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to make it easier to work with.
- First bake: Scrape dough from bowl to floured work surface and knead lightly several times to mix. Divide dough into two equal pieces. Roll each into cylinder about 12 inches long. Transfer cylinders to cookie sheet covered with parchment paper or buttered aluminum foil. Flatten them with palm of hand so that they are about 1/2 inch thick.
- Bake at 350 degrees F on the middle rack for about 30 minutes until well risen, deep golden and firm.
- Cool on the pan for 15 to 20 minutes. This is important!
- Second bake: Remove logs from pan. Cut into diagonal slices about 1/2 inch wide. Return slices to pan and arrange close together, cut side down.
- Bake for about 20 minutes longer, until cut surfaces are deep golden in color.
- Arrange biscotti on a wire rack so that the cookies will crisp well on all sides.
Glaze
- Immediately after removing biscotti from oven, prepare glaze by combining confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice in small pan. Stir well to mix. Cook over low heat, stirring, until bubbly around edges. Immediately brush glaze over warm biscotti. Leave on pan until cooled and glaze is firm.
Notes
Store biscotti in a loosely covered glass, ceramic or metal container.
Photo credit: (c) Can Stock Photo / alohadave
Nutrition
- Calories: 55
- Sodium: 23g
- Fat: 2.3g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3g
- Carbohydrates: 7.9g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 0.8g
- Cholesterol: 14mg
