Cranberry Orange Biscotti
These Orange Cranberry Biscotti are perfect for dunking in coffee or enjoying with a cozy Homemade Vanilla Latte. The bright orange zest paired with tart dried cranberries and a drizzle of white chocolate makes these twice-baked cookies crisp, citrusy, and just sweet enough. If you’ve never made biscotti before, this easy recipe is a great place to start.
The citrus-cranberry cookie shows how easily a bakery-style treat can come together with very little effort. It uses everyday staples to create crisp slices that look impressive once baked. Whether you’re prepping for a cookie exchange or stocking your treat jar, this biscotti delivers reliable results every time.
With the holidays approaching, I’m getting my cookie lineup ready, and this Orange Cranberry Biscotti is a must this year, especially enjoyed with my Homemade Vanilla Chai Latte. Other seasonal favorites like my Christmas Fruitcake Biscotti and classic Italian Anise Biscotti will also make an appearance. These treats are shaping up to be my go-to holiday cookies.
Orange Cranberry Biscotti
Orange Cranberry Biscotti brings bright citrus flavor and tart cranberry goodness together in a crunchy cookie that’s perfect for dunking. Biscotti might sound intimidating to make, but it’s a simple process that anyone can follow. Once it’s baked, it’s just as delicious to eat during the holidays as it is year-round with a warm cup of coffee or tea.
The mix of orange zest, white chocolate, and dried cranberries gives each slice a bakery-style finish without any fuss. The dough comes together quickly, and the double bake creates the signature biscotti crunch. Whether you’re sharing a homemade gift or stocking your cookie jar, this recipe offers a great balance of flavor and texture.
Timesaving Tips and Variations
Here are a few tweaks and tips for making biscotti. You can keep it simple for everyday baking or dress it up for gifting and holiday trays.
- Swap out the dried cranberries for nuts, mini chocolate chips, or dried cherries.
- Make the dough ahead; the log chills in the fridge for days or freezes well.
- Use a simple powdered sugar and orange juice glaze instead of white chocolate.
These little shortcuts make it super easy to customize the recipe based on what’s in your pantry or how much time you have. Plus, they really help you fit baking these crunchy, twice-baked Italian cookies into a packed schedule!
What to Enjoy with Cranberry Orange Biscotti
These crisp, flavorful cookies are traditionally designed for dunking, which helps soften their texture and releases their aromatic flavors. Here are some of the best pairings to enjoy alongside your fresh batch of biscotti.
The crisp slices and citrusy notes make it a great complement to drinks and other baked treats. It’s also an easy way to add a touch of elegance to snack time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first bake sets the dough, forming the loaf. The second bake removes moisture, giving the classic crisp texture. Without the double bake, the biscotti would be too soft to hold its shape for dipping.
Yes, biscotti keeps very well because of its crunchy texture. Store it in an airtight container for up to two weeks, or freeze it before adding the chocolate drizzle for longer storage.
Fresh cranberries are too moist and can affect the dough’s consistency. Dried cranberries hold their texture and sweetness much better.
The key to clean, non-crumbly slices is using a very sharp serrated knife and waiting until the log has cooled for the recommended 15 minutes after the first bake. Use a gentle back-and-forth sawing motion to cut uniform 3/4-inch slices.
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Essential Tools for Baking Biscotti
These basic tools are all you need to get perfect biscotti every time, and some of the tools I use personally are available on Amazon for convenience. Using these essentials makes the dough easy to work with, ensures even baking, and keeps cleanup quick.
Deiss PRO Citrus Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater — Parmesan Cheese, Lemon, Ginger, Garlic, Nutmeg, Chocolate, Vegetables, Fruits – Razor-Sharp Stainless Steel Blade + Protect Cover – Dishwasher Safe
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield KSM150PS, Blue VelvetKitchenAid 5 Ultra Power Speed Hand Mixer – KHM512, Empire RedCuisinart Mixing Bowl Set, Stainless Steel, 3-Piece, CTG-00-SMBReynolds Kitchens Unbleached Parchment Paper Roll, Non Stick Parchment Paper for Cooking and Baking, Oven Safe up to 425 Degrees, Chlorine-Free, 45 Feet x 12 Inches, 45 Total Sq. Ft.HENCKELS Statement Razor-Sharp 5-inch Serrated Utility Knife, Tomato Knife, German Engineered Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery, Black/Stainless Steel
Ingredients Needed for Orange Cranberry Biscotti
Each ingredient serves a vital role in creating both the vibrant flavor and the signature crisp structure of this classic Italian treat.
- Butter and sugar — provide richness and sweetness.
- Eggs and vanilla extract — bind the dough and add flavor depth.
- Oranges, zested — give bright citrus flavor.
- Flour and baking powder — they form a structure and give a slight rise.
- Dried cranberries — add chewy tartness.
- White chocolate and sugar — for drizzling and garnish.
How to Make Orange Cranberry Biscotti
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix sugar and orange zest with a fork to release the flavor and prevent clumping.
In a large bowl, beat butter with the orange sugar mixture until combined. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
Whisk flour with baking powder, then gradually add to the wet ingredients, blending well after each addition. Mix a teaspoon of flour with the dried fruit to prevent sticking.
Fold in chopped dried cranberries. Shape the dough into a 12×4-inch log on the prepared baking sheet, and bake 25–30 minutes. Cool 15 minutes.
Slice the loaf into ¾-inch slices, stand upright on the baking sheet, and bake another 20 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Mix the remaining orange zest with 1 tablespoon sugar. Melt white chocolate wafers, drizzle over cooled biscotti, and immediately sprinkle with the orange sugar. Let set 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container.
These homemade fruity biscotti make any coffee or tea moment feel special. Lately, I have been loving them with a cup of Vanilla and Almond Hot Chocolate.
Orange Cranberry Biscotti
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon Taylor and Colledge Vanilla Bean Paste (or vanilla extract)
- 3 tablespoons fresh orange zest (about 3 medium oranges)
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup (heaping) dried cranberries, chopped
- ¼ – ½ cup white candy melts melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest (1 medium orange)
- 1½ tablespoon sugar or granulated, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the sugar and orange zest in a small bowl using a fork. This will release the flavor into the sugar and will not clump when mixing.
- In large mixing bowl, beat butter and the orange sugar mixture until combined.
- Add in eggs and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Whisk the baking powder with the floru and slowly add flour and baking powder to the wet ingredients, blending well after each addition.
- With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, fold in the chopped dried cranberries. *TIP: I like to coat the cranberries with a teaspoon of flour to help them not stick together.
- On a parchment paper lined baking sheet, shape dough into a 12 inch by 4 inch log, patting evenly. TIP: Lightly coat hands with flour to help the dough not stick.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes.
- Slice biscotti into ¾ inch slices with a sharp serrated knife.
- Arrange cookies upright on baking sheet and return to oven. Bake an additional 20 minutes.
- Remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
- In small bowl mix zest of one orange with 1 tablespoon of sugar.
- Melt the white chocolate wafers according to the package directions. Drizzle over on cooled biscotti and immediately sprinkle with orange sugar.
- Allow to set (about 15 minutes). Store in air tight container.
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Christmas Sweets Week
Time to celebrate all things Holiday sweets. Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures is our lovely hostess, and trust me, you want to see all the recipes! Just follow the hashtag on social media to keep up with every single amazing, tasty creation.
- Spice Snack Cake from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- White Chocolate Martini from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Sourdough Chocolate Christmas Star Bread from Jen Around the World
- Tom & Jerry Batter from Art of Natural Living
- Persimmon Cranberry Cookies from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Enjoy!
Perfect Holiday flavors for dipping into your coffee.
These look and sound so festive! Perfect for the holidays!
I’m a huge fan of biscotti, especially around the holidays. This is the perfect sweet and tart holiday combo!
I’ve always wanted to make biscotti to have with my coffee. I bet these flavors are amazing