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Festive Fruitcake Biscotti – Perfect for Holiday Gifting

Bring a little holiday magic to your kitchen with this festive Fruitcake Biscotti. Inspired by the rich, fruity flavors of traditional fruitcake, these biscotti combine dried fruits, crunchy nuts, and warm spices in every bite. Perfectly crisp, they’re ideal for dipping in coffee, tea, or hot cocoa. Plus, they make a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family, neatly wrapped and ready to share. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or simply want a seasonal treat to enjoy at home, this easy-to-follow recipe has you covered. Try it once, and it might just become a new holiday favorite!

What Makes This Recipe So Good?

  • Festive Flavors: Packed with dried fruits, nuts, and warming spices, these biscotti capture all the cozy flavors of a classic fruitcake.
  • Perfect Texture: Crisp and crunchy, ideal for dipping in coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
  • Holiday-Ready: These biscotti make beautiful gifts when wrapped up for friends, family, or party favors.
  • Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and a straightforward recipe mean anyone can whip up a batch.
  • Great Shelf Life: Biscotti stay fresh longer than other cookies, so you can make them in advance without worry.
  • Versatile: Customize with your favorite mix of dried fruits and nuts for a personal touch.
  • Unique Twist: A fun and unexpected twist on both biscotti and fruitcake, making them stand out on any holiday dessert spread.

Key Ingredients

  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for the biscotti.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the biscotti rise slightly and stay light.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and balance to the spices and fruits.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients and give the biscotti their crispy texture.
  • Butter or Oil: Adds a touch of richness and flavor.
  • Dried Fruits: Traditional fruitcake ingredients like dried cherries, cranberries, or apricots add sweetness and texture.
  • Nuts: Almonds, pecans, or walnuts bring crunch and flavor to every bite.
  • Spices: A mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for that warm, holiday flavor.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor and sweetness of the biscotti.
  • Almond Extract (Optional): Adds a hint of almond flavor that pairs well with the fruitcake theme.

Chefs Helpful Tips

  • Chop Fruits and Nuts Finely: Smaller pieces blend better into the dough and make slicing easier after the first bake.
  • Use a Sharp Serrated Knife: This helps achieve clean cuts and prevents the biscotti from crumbling when slicing.
  • Double Bake for Extra Crunch: Biscotti are traditionally baked twice to achieve their crispy texture. Bake until golden for the perfect crunch!
  • Cool Slightly Before Slicing: Let the biscotti log cool a few minutes after the first bake; this helps maintain its shape and reduces crumbling.
  • Customize Your Mix-Ins: Swap in your favorite dried fruits or nuts to add a personal twist or use up what you have in your pantry.
  • Store Properly: Keep biscotti in an airtight container to maintain their crunch, especially if making them ahead for gifting.
  • Add a Glaze (Optional): For an extra festive touch, drizzle with white or dark chocolate or a simple sugar glaze after the second bake.
  • Use Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes transferring biscotti easier, especially after the second bake.
  • Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix just until combined to keep biscotti tender inside with a good crunch outside.

Recipes To Try...

Cooking Method
Cuisine
Courses
Difficulty Beginner
Time
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 40 mins Rest Time: 10 mins Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
Cooking Temp 350  °F
Servings 20
Calories 130
Best Season Winter, Fall
Dietary Pescatarian, Vegetarian
Description

Bring a little holiday magic to your kitchen with this festive Fruitcake Biscotti. Inspired by the rich, fruity flavors of traditional fruitcake, these biscotti combine dried fruits, crunchy nuts, and warm spices in every bite. Perfectly crisp, they’re ideal for dipping in coffee, tea, or hot cocoa. Plus, they make a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family, neatly wrapped and ready to share. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or simply want a seasonal treat to enjoy at home, this easy-to-follow recipe has you covered. Try it once, and it might just become a new holiday favorite!

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted, or 1/4 cup vegetable oil)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp almond extract (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 3/4 cup mixed dried fruits (such as cherries, cranberries, and apricots, chopped)
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts)
Instructions
  1. Preheat and Prepare

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. Mix Dry Ingredients

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.

  3. Blend Wet Ingredients

    In another bowl, whisk together the sugar, melted butter (or oil), eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until smooth.

  4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

    Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the biscotti tender.

  5. Add Fruits and Nuts

    Gently fold in the chopped dried fruits and nuts until evenly distributed.

  6. Shape the Dough

    Transfer the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Shape it into a log about 10-12 inches long, 4 inches wide, and 1 inch thick.

  7. First Bake

    Bake the log for 20-25 minutes or until it’s lightly golden and firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes.

  8. Slice the Biscotti

    Using a sharp serrated knife, slice the log diagonally into 3/4-inch thick slices.

  9. Second Bake

    Place the slices cut-side down on the baking sheet. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispness.

  10. Cool and Serve

    Let the biscotti cool completely on a wire rack. Enjoy with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, or store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 20

Amount Per Serving
Calories 130kcal
Calories from Fat 40kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4.5g7%
Saturated Fat 1.5g8%
Cholesterol 20mg7%
Sodium 35mg2%
Potassium 55mg2%
Total Carbohydrate 19g7%
Dietary Fiber 1g4%
Sugars 8g
Protein 2g4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: fruitcake biscotti, holiday biscotti recipe, festive biscotti, fruit and nut biscotti, Christmas biscotti, easy biscotti recipe, homemade biscotti, holiday baking, crunchy biscotti, Italian biscotti
Read it online: https://mykitchentreats.com/recipe/festive-fruitcake-biscotti-perfect-for-holiday-gifting/
Courtney