Cranberry and Pistachio Biscotti - so easy to make and has fewer calories than cookies! Flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest, dried cranberries and pistachios! Perfect dipped into coffee!
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Why You Should Make Biscotti Cookies!
If you are a confirmed non-baker like me, biscotti should be on your list. It doesn’t need to be moist, to rise sky-high, or to be flaky and light. It’s pretty much full-proof and almost the only baking I will attempt.
As an extra bonus, they are usually lower in calories than other cookies. A lot of biscotti recipes do not include butter and that really helps if you are trying to watch your calories. While I admit, I allow myself plenty of treats at Christmas, it's also good to have these biscotti on hand.
How to Store Biscotti
Biscotti also makes a lovely Christmas gift. Pack it up in a cute tin, with some coffee beans – because biscotti dipped in coffee is absolutely wonderful! We like to keep a jar filled with biscotti on the counter, perfect for an after school snack or a quick nibble when you’ve come back in from a day of Christmas shopping!
The beauty of biscotti is that's it's already dry, so it lasts a lot longer than regular cookies. I store it either in a jar on the counter or in a cookie tin, like this Chocolate Cherry Biscotti in a pretty vintage tin or this Pumpkin Pie Biscotti in the same vintage tin!
Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti so Easy to Make!
This biscotti is so easy to make, you don't even need a stand mixer! Sift the flower and baking powder into a bowl and add the sugar and stir with a wooden spoon. Then add the wet ingredients (this would be the perfect time to use your homemade vanilla extract) and stir until it forms a dough. Knead it on a floured surface until smooth. Divide it into 2 logs and flattened slightly. I do this right on the parchment lined baking sheet.
Bake and then cool completely. Use a serrated knife to cut into ½ inch slices and place back on the baking tray and bake for 8-10 minutes. Then allow to cool completely.
So easy! I found this recipe in an old issue of Donna Hay Magazine.
Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti
Ingredients
- 2 cup all purpose flour sifted
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder sifted
- ¾ cup sugar
- 3 eggs lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest finely grated
- 1 cup dried cranberries sweetened
- 1 cup pistachios shelled, unsalted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325.
- Place the flour, baking powder, and sugar in a large bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine.
- Add the eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest, dried cranberries, and pistachios and mix until a smooth dough forms.
- Turn out to a well floured surface and knead until smooth. Divide into two even halves and roughly shape into a log.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place logs on paper and shape until they are about 8 inches long. Flatten slightly.
- Bake for 30 - 35 minutes or until firm. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
- Carefully remove the logs from the parchment paper and place on a cutting board. Slice a little on the diagonal forming ½ inch slices.
- Place back on the parchment lined trays and bake for 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool on trays.
Nutrition
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Update Notes: This was originally published in 2013 and has been updated for 2018.
Charity says
Goodness I want to munch on these with a side of coffee!!! So Christmasy too!
Pam Greer says
They are extra yummy with coffee!
Tammy says
I love the combination of pistachios and cranberries! These biscotti look wonderful and a perfect treat to have on Christmas morning 🙂
Pam Greer says
We will be having them with our coffee on Christmas!
Amy says
I love the combo of flavors and the colors are festive for the holidays! This is a perfect treat for houseguests for breakfast and coffee this Christmas!
Pam Greer says
It would be great for house guests!
Leslie Haasch says
I'll tell ya, I have the worst track record when it comes to making biscotti. I always end up with it being a little too chewy, or totally overdone. I'm going to follow your steps and hope I can get it right this time!
Pam Greer says
Yes, give it a try! It's so easy!
lauren says
Biscotti always remind me of Christmas because our friends Nana would always send us a batch. I miss them so much! Can't wait to try these!
Pam Greer says
You'll have to let me know what you think!
Amanda Mason says
I've never tried to make biscotti but this looks easy and delish! My daughter loves biscotti! I'm going to show her this so she can make it!
Pam Greer says
You'll have to let me know what you think!
Kiki Johnson says
I love all of your Christmas stuff but these cantuccini (or biscotti) especially because they have pistachios in them and everything with pistachios magically turns into my favorite thing ever! The combination with cranberries is such a classic- hard to beat. These would be perfect as food gifts!
Pam Greer says
Yes, they make great gifts!
Farwin | Love & other Spices says
I haven't made biscotti before. I should have tried that first. It seems so easy to make. And the biscotti looks delicious!
Pam Greer says
Biscotti is the easiest form of baking in my opinion.
Anne Lawton says
I have never tried making biscotti, but after seeing this recipe I think I want to give it a try. I love all of the festive colors in this too!
Pam Greer says
It's so much easier than other kinds of baking!
Kathryn | Urban Foodie Kitchen says
I haven't made biscotti in a long time - this looks like the perfect recipe to change that! Love the flavor combo!!
Pam Greer says
It's perfect for the holidays!
Eva says
If you like them dipped in coffee you should try in dessert wine! In Italy we have a special kind of "biscotti" that goes by the name of Cantucci and they're traditionally dipped in Vin Santo. So good and so Christmassy!
Pam Greer says
Oh, I've never tried them in wine!!
Elaine Benoit says
There are so many things to adore about this recipe! First, that they are biscotti, which I love! Second the combination of pistachio and cranberry? Perfect!
Pam Greer says
I know, they are so festive!
Gloria says
There is just something special about pistachios this time of year. Paired with cranberries, the colours and flavours are holiday season perfect. I would love to dunk one of this in my tea right about now.
Pam Greer says
They are perfect for dunking!
Kayte says
Oh my those look wonderful, I think those might be the prettiest biscotti I have ever seen. Great choice anytime!
TeaLady says
Biscotti is always fun to make These look really good.
Deb in Hawaii says
So pretty and so perfect for the season. I have never made my own biscotti for some reason but I might have to now. 😉
Kim says
Pam - Maybe the folks at Oh Nuts! are trying to tell you something 🙂 Glancing at your biscotti I'm thinking it's possible you could be a great baker!
P.S. That bag of shelled pistachios would be dangerous for me. I'd be popping them in my mouth like crazy.
Tina says
I have never made biscotti although I devour them like it's my job. Lovely!
Couscous & Consciousness says
Pam, your biscotti look lovely - cranberry & pistachio is a great combo. I've never actually made biscotti, but you made me think I could and they would be great for Christmas gifts.
grace says
cranberries and pistachios are my go-to red and green ingredients during the holiday season. nice use for them!
Amy says
Yep, I love them. I requested pistachios, too! (And popcorn kernels.) But I haven't done anything with mine yet. Maybe I'll make your Biscotti!
Zosia says
So pretty and with those festive colours, perfect for the season. I love biscotti with a good cup of coffee.
shabby girl says
We LOVE Biscotti! These sound delish. I'll save the recipe until we're off the road. The toaster oven doesn't seem to "bake" real well, unless it's a potato, lol!
Joanne says
Biscotti are definitely a Christmas favorite. Love that you infused them with red and green!