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Italian Christmas Cookies

Italian Christmas Biscotti (Biscotti di Natale)

These twice-baked Italian Christmas cookies are delightfully crunchy and perfect for holiday gift-giving or enjoying with your favorite beverage. A simple recipe with optional additions for customized flavor.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Cookie, Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 200
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter (2 sticks), softened
  • 1 1/2 cups Granulated Sugar
  • 4 Large Eggs
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 4 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 cup Chopped Candied Fruit optional (orange, citron)
  • 1/2 cup Chopped Nuts optional (almonds, walnuts)
  • Powdered Sugar for dusting

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric Mixer (optional)
  • Baking Sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. (Use an electric mixer for easiest results).
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Gently fold in the candied fruit and nuts, if using.
  6. Divide the dough in half. Roll each half into a log about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Place the logs onto the prepared baking sheets.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the logs are lightly golden brown. Let cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Once completely cool, slice the logs diagonally into ½-inch thick slices. Arrange the slices on the baking sheets, cut-side up. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden and crisp. Cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar.

Notes

Store biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Experiment with different types of nuts and candied fruits for unique flavor combinations. For a richer flavor, use brown butter instead of regular butter.