The weekend is here…making it a perfect time for biscotti. Actually, it’s always a perfect time for biscotti, but let’s focus on why we need this in our life this weekend. Shall we?
You see, the lovely thing about biscotti, beyond its incredible flavor and wonderful crunch, is that it can be made ahead of time. So, if you’ve got a road trip planned this weekend, company coming or just want to laze into your days – my recommendation is that you get a jump on it – go ahead, pre-heat your oven to 325 F…yep, right now…go…I’ll wait…you’ll be happy that you took my advice and made these Dark Chocolate & Dried Cherry Biscotti, now. Mm-hmmm. I’m sure of it.
The first time I recall tasting biscotti was at my grandparents’ house, way back in the day. Stella D’oro Anisette Toasts. Gram would bring out the package to serve with coffee on the tiny island in her perfectly appointed little kitchen. Not a mappina (dishtowel in Italian) out of place. I’m not sure what I loved more – the mild anise flavor of these twice-baked Italian cookies or the smell of coffee and the clink of their spoons as they swirled cream and sugar in their apricot colored cups.
Like Gram and Gramp, Dom loves his biscotti. Outside of almond paste cookies, I’m pretty certain homemade biscotti is his favorite semi-sweet treat.
Now…….my guy is a dunker. And unless it’s a piece of Italian bread straight into a pot of sauce, I am not a dunker. He’s always trying to get me to dip my cookies in my coffee, but I can’t. I’ve always believed that the reward of eating biscotti is its intense crunch factor. I mean, why bake it twice if you’re just going to soften it anyway? Who’s with me? Anybody? Anybody?
And here is where I “eat” my words…
No dunking! Except for today!
I know – I’m waffling. But the rich chocolaty flavor is doubly enhanced by the taste of bold dark coffee. A quick dunk – just enough for the nooks and crannies to grab a hold, not enough to soak it but enough to render you a tantalizing treat. Dark melty chocolate, tart chewy cherries, crunchy sliced almonds and coffee. That’s a day at the park right there, am I right?
Because Dom and I are such big coffee drinkers, it’s nice to have a little homemade treat to accompany our morning, mid-day and evening beverage. There was once a day that we would drink an entire pot of coffee after dinner. We don’t do that anymore – but we sure do enjoy our brew…especially in the morning, on car trips, after lunch, with dessert… See? We’re fans.
These biscotti do a great job of elevating one of our favorite past times.
So – if you’re a coffee drinker, a tea drinker, or even a wine drinker – you’re going to want this recipe in your tin of favorites.
And, if you’re nothing like we are, and think they’ll last in your house for two weeks – they’ll keep in an airtight container.
Buon Appetito!
Print
Dark Chocolate & Dried Cherry Biscotti
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 2 eggs
- 2 egg whites
- 1 cup dried tart cherries
- 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 F.
- In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and egg whites.
- Add egg mixture to dry ingredients. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, mix until moist.
- Add dried cherries, chocolate morsels and almonds and mix again until just combined. Batter will have a look of crumbles but will come together when you form it.
- On a floured surface, divide batter in half.
- Pat each into a log about 14 inches long, 1 1/2 inches wide.
- Place logs on a cookie sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven and reduce temperature to 300 F.
- Cut biscotti diagonally into 1/2 inch slices.
- Stand them upright on cookie sheet and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
Wait…there’s more!
Orange Biscotti with Grand Marnier
Biscotti from around the web…
Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti from Shugary Sweets
Lemon Almond Biscotti from King Arthur Flour
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Biscotti from Annie’s Eats
White Chocolate and Cranberry Biscotti from What’s Gaby Cooking
Pumpkin Pie Biscotti from Gimme Some Oven
That’ll get you started!
Have a lovely weekend, my friends!
Ciao!
I’m all about biscotti! Love it and love the combo of dark chocolate and cherries. I’m a dunker like your Guy. Coffee, hot chocolate, milk, dessert wine…I’ll dunk biscotti in any tasty beverage! Can’t wait to try your delicious version 🙂
Why thank you! Hope you enjoy, my friend! 🙂
These biscotti sound fabulous, Annie! Dark chocolate AND dried cherry studded crunchy deliciousness! I don’t make biscotti very often, and these have me wanting to correct that right here and now. Obviously starting with these! I’m with you on not being a “dunker” either. I like the crisp crunch and don’t like to loose that due to doing the dip! 😉 Pinned! Cheers, lovie! Hope you are having a beautiful day!
We just love having them around – truth is – Hubby would eat them with his coffee everyday if I made them everyday. Yes! Another lovely I can add to our ‘no-dunk club’!! You’re in! 🙂
OMGOSH Annie! these biscotti cookies look SOOO ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL! I love chocolate + cherry combination! And to add its dried version into these beauties is just such a winning idea! love it!
Thank you, Samina!! I appreciate that! It is a winning combination, for sure! 🙂
Uummm, I so love biscotti and I love coffee too! And this chocolate and cherry sounds like the best combination ever. This is a fabulous share, Annie! Can’t wait to try these beauties! 🙂
Thank you, Anu!! This is a fun one! 🙂
Such a lovely memory, Annie. I can just imagine all the amazing treats that came out Gram’s kitchen. Love this biscotti. Dark chocolate and dried cherry are such a winning combo. I enjoy dunking and not dunking but totally agree, the crunch is the best 🙂
So many amazing treats from her kitchen…especially her lasagna! Oh my! Thanks, friend! So happy you stopped by! 🙂
Chocolate and cherry i the best combo ever, I must try my hand at making biscotti! Pinning!
It is quite delish! And I think you’ll be surprised at how simple it actually is! Thanks, friend!
Mmmmm, chocolate and cherries? A perfect combination for a road trip, although I’d be in the passenger’s seat dunkin! hehe. Good, homemade snacks are a must for road trippin. I always load up. I would have never thought to take bisotti along however; what a great idea!!
Okay…only because it’s the chocolate and cherry can I get beyond the dunking! 😉 Thank you dear – yep, this is a lovely addition to long and winding road trips!
Annie, you are a spectacular genius in the kitchen! I have never made biscotti and I totally want to hang out with Gram! I’m a total not dunker. Nope. No way. I would totally crush this dark cherry chocolate biscotti – no coffee necessary! 🙂
Awhhh! Gram would have totally loved to hang out with you! Yes – total ‘not dunkers’ unite!! It’s necessary we make our voices heard! Thanks, dear! Have a great weekend! 🙂
I love the crunch of biscotti. The dark chocolate and cherry combo sounds so good!
The double chocolate puts it over the top! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Sooo pretty! I don’t know why/how, but when I was younger, I used to eat a LOT of biscotti- I wasn’t dunking it in coffee at age 6, but I have faint memories of alwayyyys getting it at a coffee shop with my mom. It’s been too long- this looks delish!
Awh! I love that! Yeah…I wasn’t drinking coffee at 6 either – it was not until junior year of college, actually! Thanks for your sweet words, friend! You must be getting ready to leave soon… so exciting!! 🙂
There’s something special in Italian cookies! I’ve made some of them, but I’ve never made biscotti. Probably I’m too lazy to bake them twice:) But I need to try them. And the good news is now I know where I can find an amazing (and I believe authentic too) recipe. Anyways, chocolate and cherries… It’s perfect marriage! And, Annie, what about lavender biscotti?:)
You’ve got that right, my friend! Italian cookies are special…I couldn’t agree more! You can do it – the twice baked is nothin’ – just do it! Ahhhh, yes, lavender biscotti – well, I tell you what – you have me so inspired I am scratching my head to come up with a recipe that includes flowers. I hope to surprise you (and me) some day! 🙂
Lovely, Annie! Dark chocolate and cherries are a perfect flavor combo so I can just image how great they are in your biscotti. I’ve never tried to make biscotti but you’ve got me inspired. And I love that you can make them ahead of time and have on hand for when the mood strikes. Have a great weekend!
I think you’ll really enjoy them, Geraldine. I really love the tartness of the cherry against the chocolatey chocolate! ha! Thanks, friend!
Ohhh yes, sign me up! These look great and chocolate and the dried tart cherries are perfecto! I vacillate between to dunk or not to dunk. I agree, you went through the work to double bake, but that slight crunch and then as it gives a little due to a dip is fantastic.
I had to reread that line “an entire pot of coffee after dinner”… I couldn’t sleep if I did that. You guys are good. 🙂 #ChocolateRocks
Ahhh, yes! Chocolate does rock! I know – we were crazy kids…we don’t do it anymore but there are some nights that a cup or two really hits the spot! Thanks, friend!
Mmm… I love biscotti! There’s just something so homey about it. And I love how versatile it is… speaking of which, your dark chocolate and cherry combo sound fantastic! Now I’m with Dom, I’m definitely team dunk. And I can see why dunking these chocolatey delights is a MUST, adding a sinful swirl of chocolate to your morning coffee 🙂
Exactly! So homey and cozy! So, you’re team dunk? I feel I may be outnumbered on this one! 🙂
Mmm this is so delicious! It’s raining here right now and all I can think of this biscotti and a cup of coffee! Send me some Annie! Pinned!
They’re packed and ready to go! Enjoy your rainy day, my friend!
Oh yum, I love biscotti and I love how fun you made this one! Dark chocolate and dried cherry!? Sign me up!
You’re signed up! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Perfect flavors! Love coffee and biscotti! And of course I love the weekend! Pinned!
Coffee and biscotti are like peanut butter and jelly to me! A perfect marriage! Thanks, dear!
Annie, I am a huge coffee drinker and love biscotti! It’s been a while since I made my own at home (I’ve only made them once!). I need to make these! These look delicious! and I’m a part-time dunker. . 😛
I can get behind that…part-time dunking! This is one you’ll want to dip! Thanks, friend!
This biscotti is PERFECT! Yes would love to have this lush biscotti with my cuppa coffee right now!! YUM!
Can’t beat chocolate and cherry! Am I right? Thanks, Arpita!!
Weekends definitely call for biscotti and lots of coffee! This chocolate cherry version sounds delicious, Annie! I’ve never attempted to make my own yet, but now I have the perfect recipe to try out!
It’s really a very simple recipe. I’ve been making the base and adapting my add-ins for years. We love it! Thanks, friend!