Chocolate-Cherry Pecan Biscotti
Plus, how to properly pack a cookie tin + approach a multi-recipe bake
Last year I almost didn’t include biscotti in the lineup of cookie content I shared to my site, afraid they wouldn’t have enough WOW factor. But I decided that they were so tasty and “craveable” (the word I look to hear from my husband, Steve—who is my main taster—as proof that a recipe has reached peak perfection), that I had to. And WOW. Much to my surprise, the recipe was incredibly popular, so I decided to create a new version for this year’s cookie collection.
My take on this favorite Italian cookie is a bit more jam-packed than the classic, which is often studded with a few nuts or maybe chocolate chips. I love to go a little “extra” with my biscotti, packing in as much good stuff as I can to make them really nubby, nutty, chewy, and bursting with flavor!
Biscotti are fantastic for sharing since it’s easy to make a lot of them. A tin full of just biscotti makes an excellent gift, but they also make a great addition to a mixed cookie box! These biscotti keep incredibly well in a tin for a few weeks and can be stored in the freezer for much longer. They ship well too!
I love the balanced flavor and meaty texture of the dried cherries in this recipe, but you can certainly substitute cranberries if you prefer them or can’t lay your hands on cherries. I haven’t always been a fan of fruit and chocolate together, but I’ve been converted. Of course, the recipe will work just as well with no fruit at all, but I highly recommend it!
These are as easy as making a quick bread; simply make a dry mixture and a wet mixture and fold them together. They are chewy, decadent, and great for dunking in sweet wine or coffee. They would be delicious to enjoy on Christmas morning — or on any special day you may celebrate!
A Gift that Keeps Giving
I’ve mentioned this before but… ‘tis the season! A VIP subscription to Susanality would make a great gift for any baker or home cook in your life. You’d be gifting them…
LOTS of fresh, original, seasonal recipes
Cooking, baking, and styling tips
Weekly inspiration and motivation to flex their muscles in the kitchen and cook with seasonal food
… all delivered straight to their inbox on a weekly basis! I like the idea of giving a subscription (which can land in their inbox on whichever date and time you want) along with some baking equipment, such as my favorite rolling pin with spacers or a new scale. Or, perhaps better yet, make them a tin of homemade cookies to go along with a subscription! How festive and delicious would that be?
Keep reading for tips on how to properly pack a cookie tin, and how to approach a multi-recipe cookie bake!
Chocolate-Cherry Pecan Biscotti
Makes about 2 dozen