Biscotti are oblong, twice-baked biscuits traditionally flavored with almonds and designed to be dipped in coffee or dessert wine. They can now be found in a wide variety of flavors and are easy to bake at home. They are often given as gifts and can be personalized for special occasions.
Biscuits are oblong, thick, brittle biscuits designed to be dipped in coffee, cocoa or dessert wine. Originally from Italy, the term “biscotti” comes from the Latin for “twice baked” because biscuits need to be baked twice to make them dry and crunchy. While these cookies were traditionally flavored with almonds, modern versions come in a wide variety of flavors. In Italy, these biscuits are called “cantucci” or “cantuccini”, while the term “biscotti” is used to indicate different types of crunchy biscuits.
The first biscuits were made as portable and durable food for Roman soldiers and travelers. They started being made with the traditional almond flavor during the Renaissance, when it also became popular to dip them in a traditional Italian dessert wine called Vin Santo, a practice that remains in Italy to this day. Many people outside of Italy prefer to dip the biscuits in coffee or hot chocolate to soften them before eating. The range of flavors these cookies come in has expanded tremendously since their creation and includes ingredients as diverse as nuts, carob flakes, orange peel, and aniseed. Some types are covered in frosting or glazed with chocolate, but the more traditional ones have no frosting or coating.
It’s relatively easy to bake these cookies. A basic recipe includes flour, sugar, eggs, and sometimes butter, along with nuts, spices, or fruit. The dough is formed into a square loaf about an inch thick, which is baked similar to a scone. When baked to a normal cookie texture, the loaf is removed from the oven and sliced diagonally. The slices are then laid out flat on a baking sheet and baked again to crisp.
The cookies can be purchased individually or in batches at specialty coffee shops and bakeries, and are often given as gifts. Sometimes they’re even wrapped and decorated to be used as party favors, as they’re easy to personalize. For example, a person might make a batch of green-speckled pistachio cookies for St. Patrick’s Day or a batch of raspberry cookies covered in cherry frosting for Valentine’s Day.
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