Festive Peppermint Biscotti: The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Recipe
Get ready to infuse your holiday season with the enchanting flavor of mint with this incredible Peppermint Biscotti recipe! These delightful biscotti cookies are a perfect blend of rich peppermint extract and festive crushed peppermint candy. Beyond their undeniably decadent taste, they boast a beautiful appearance, making them an ideal addition to any holiday cookie plate, dessert table, or a thoughtful homemade gift. If you’re looking for a special treat that truly stands out, our easy-to-follow guide for making homemade peppermint biscotti is exactly what you need.
These stunning peppermint biscotti cookies don’t just look amazing – their taste is equally impressive. The vibrant peppermint flavor, combined with the satisfying crunch of biscotti and a touch of chocolate, creates a truly irresistible experience. What’s even better is how surprisingly simple this peppermint biscotti recipe is to make. The dough comes together quickly using common pantry staples, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels. Prepare to impress your friends and family with these festive, pretty, and utterly delicious holiday treats.
Understanding Biscotti: A Classic Italian Cookie
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s explore the fascinating world of biscotti. Often classified as an Italian cookie, biscotti has a rich history and a unique preparation method that sets it apart. The word “biscotti” itself is derived from the Latin “bis coctus,” meaning “baked twice.” This “twice-baked” process is the secret to their signature dry, crunchy texture and extended shelf life, perfect for dipping into coffee, tea, or even hot cocoa.
While in America, when we say “biscotti,” we typically refer to these oblong, crunchy cookies, it’s a fun fact that in Italy, the term “biscotti” is a general word for many types of biscuits or cookies. The specific type of cookie we’re making here, known for its distinctive shape and texture, is often called “cantucci” or “prato cookies” in Italy. Regardless of the name, the principle remains the same: a delicious, durable cookie that’s perfect for dipping and savoring. Our peppermint biscotti embraces this tradition with a festive twist, making it a delightful addition to your baking repertoire.
Why You’ll Adore This Easy Peppermint Biscotti Recipe
Still pondering if this recipe is the right fit for your holiday baking? Here are compelling reasons why we believe you’ll absolutely fall in love with these festive peppermint biscotti cookies:
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Perfect for Holiday Celebrations: The refreshing flavor of peppermint is synonymous with the festive season, making these biscotti an absolute must-have for Christmas parties, family gatherings, or even a cozy Sunday brunch. Their elegant appearance and delightful taste instantly elevate any occasion. Imagine a plate of these alongside your morning coffee on Christmas day, or sharing them with loved ones after a holiday meal. They also make an excellent edible gift, beautifully packaged for friends, neighbors, or teachers, spreading holiday cheer with every crunchy bite. These holiday cookies truly capture the spirit of the season.
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Uses Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You don’t need exotic items to create these gourmet-looking cookies. If you’ve ever baked cookies from scratch, you likely have most of the necessary ingredients in your pantry already. We’re talking about basic baking staples like all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, fresh eggs, butter, and baking powder. The star flavor, peppermint extract, and the festive crunch of crushed peppermint candy are easily found at any grocery store, especially during the holiday season. This convenience makes whipping up a batch of these homemade biscotti a stress-free experience, proving that impressive treats don’t have to be complicated.
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Visually Stunning and Delicious: Beyond their ease of preparation, these peppermint biscotti boast a professional look and an irresistible taste. Dipped in rich chocolate and sprinkled with additional crushed peppermint, they present beautifully on any platter. Serve them with your favorite warm beverages – be it coffee, hot chocolate, or a calming cup of tea – and enjoy a moment of pure holiday bliss. Their appealing aesthetics make them not just a treat for the palate, but also a feast for the eyes, guaranteed to draw compliments from your guests and make your dessert table shine. They are truly decadent and pretty.
Essential Ingredients for Your Peppermint Biscotti
Crafting the perfect peppermint biscotti starts with gathering quality ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial for this delightful biscotti recipe:
For the Biscotti Dough:
- Butter: Use real, unsalted butter for the best flavor. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature before you begin, as this allows it to cream properly with the sugar, creating a light and airy base for your cookie dough.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar provides the essential sweetness and contributes to the biscotti’s crisp structure.
- Eggs: Three large eggs are vital for binding all the ingredients together, adding moisture, and contributing to the rich texture of the biscotti. Make sure they are also at room temperature for better emulsion with the butter and sugar, which leads to a more cohesive dough.
- Peppermint Extract: This is the star flavor! A little goes a long way, so measure carefully. It’s crucial to use peppermint extract, not spearmint or plain mint, to achieve that distinct, refreshing holiday taste that makes these peppermint biscotti so special.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our biscotti. All-purpose flour works perfectly for this recipe, providing the necessary structure and body to the dough. If you need a gluten-free option, a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend can be used as a substitute, often with excellent results, though the texture might vary slightly.
- Baking Powder: Our leavening agent. Baking powder helps the biscotti logs rise slightly during the first bake, contributing to their final texture. Always check that your baking powder isn’t old or expired for optimal results; fresh baking powder ensures proper lift.
- Salt: Just a pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness and making the peppermint notes truly pop. It’s a small but mighty ingredient that brings out the best in the cookies.
- Crushed Peppermint Candy: These festive bits are mixed directly into the cookie dough, adding bursts of concentrated peppermint flavor and a lovely crunchy texture. You can easily crush peppermint hard candies or candy canes in a food processor or by placing them in a Ziploc bag and crushing them with a rolling pin. This ingredient makes our peppermint biscotti uniquely festive.
For the Decadent Chocolate Coating:
- Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are a classic choice for dipping, offering a beautiful contrast to the refreshing peppermint. However, feel free to experiment with dark chocolate for a more intense flavor, milk chocolate for extra sweetness, or even white chocolate chips for a softer color palette, based on your preference. High-quality melting chocolate can also be used for an even smoother and glossier finish.
- Shortening: A small amount of shortening is added to the chocolate to help thin it out slightly, making it easier to dip the biscotti and achieve a smooth, glossy, and evenly distributed coating. It also helps the chocolate set nicely and prevents it from becoming too brittle.
- More Crushed Peppermint Candy: This is for sprinkling generously on top of the wet chocolate coating. It adds an extra layer of crunch, an intensified peppermint flavor, and a visually appealing festive touch that makes these peppermint biscotti truly stand out. It’s the perfect finishing touch for a professional-looking holiday cookie.
How to Master Homemade Peppermint Biscotti: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these detailed instructions to create beautifully crunchy and flavorful peppermint biscotti that will impress everyone:
Step 1: Cream Wet Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, cream them together on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming process incorporates air into the mixture, which is crucial for achieving a tender interior in your biscotti logs before the second bake.
Step 2: Incorporate Eggs and Flavor. Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Each egg should disappear into the mixture before the next is added. Then, stir in the peppermint extract. Continue to beat for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring everything is thoroughly mixed and fragrant. Remember, accurate measurement of the extract is key to the perfect peppermint flavor.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients. In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures that the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the dry mixture, which is essential for uniform rising and seasoning. Once combined, gently stir in the crushed peppermint candy. This prevents the candy from clumping together in the dough and ensures an even distribution of flavor and crunch.
Step 4: Form the Dough. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed butter mixture. Mix on low speed or by hand until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can develop the gluten too much, leading to tough biscotti. The dough will be quite stiff and thick – this is normal and expected for traditional biscotti dough, as it helps maintain its shape during baking.
Step 5: Shape and First Bake. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Divide the stiff dough in half. Line a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper for easy removal and to prevent sticking. On the prepared baking sheet, roll each half of the dough into a log, approximately 12 inches long and 2 ½ inches wide. Ensure the logs are relatively uniform in thickness for even baking. Bake these two large rectangles for about 25-30 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown and firm to the touch. The goal is to cook them through without browning too much. Once baked, carefully transfer the logs to a wire rack and allow them to cool for 15 minutes. This partial cooling is essential before slicing, as it allows the logs to firm up slightly without becoming too brittle.
Step 6: Slice and Second Bake. After 15 minutes of cooling, transfer the partially cooled logs to a cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, carefully cut the logs diagonally into 1/2-inch thick slices. This diagonal cut creates the classic biscotti shape. Arrange the sliced biscotti pieces, cut side down, back onto the baking sheet. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C). Bake for another 12-15 minutes, or until the biscotti are firm, golden, and dry. This second bake is what gives biscotti its characteristic crispness and extends its shelf life, making it perfect for dipping.
Step 7: Cool Completely. Once the second bake is complete, transfer the finished biscotti slices to a wire rack to cool completely. They will become even crispier as they cool, achieving that signature biscotti texture. Ensuring they are fully cool is important for the next step.
Step 8: Prepare Chocolate Coating. While the biscotti cool, prepare your chocolate coating. Place the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir. Continue to microwave in 15-30 second intervals, stirring well after each, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as it can seize and become unusable. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate over a double boiler for a more controlled process.
Step 9: Dip and Decorate. Once the biscotti are completely cool and the chocolate is melted and smooth, dip one end of each biscotti into the chocolate. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off for a cleaner finish. Immediately after dipping, roll or generously sprinkle the chocolate-dipped end with the remaining crushed peppermint candy. Place the decorated biscotti on waxed paper or parchment paper until the chocolate is fully set. This might take a little while at room temperature, or you can place them in the refrigerator for faster setting, especially if your kitchen is warm.
Step 10: Store. Once the chocolate has fully set, store your beautiful homemade peppermint biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain fresh and delicious for enjoyment over the next week or two. Enjoy them with your favorite hot beverage, and savor the festive flavors!
Expert Tips for Perfect Peppermint Biscotti Every Time
To ensure your peppermint biscotti turn out absolutely perfect, keep these handy tips in mind:
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: This cannot be stressed enough. Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps them combine more smoothly and evenly, leading to a better emulsion of fats and liquids, which results in a more uniform dough texture and a consistently baked cookie.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the flour to the wet ingredients, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in tough and chewy biscotti instead of the desired light, crisp, and crunchy texture. A gentle hand is best here.
- Use Quality Peppermint Extract: The quality of your peppermint extract significantly impacts the flavor of your biscotti. Opt for a good-quality, pure peppermint extract for a bright, clean, and authentic peppermint taste. Double-check that it’s peppermint, not spearmint, for the classic holiday flavor profile.
- Achieve Even Log Thickness: When shaping the dough into logs, try to make them as uniform in thickness as possible. This ensures that all parts of the biscotti bake evenly during both the first and second baking stages, preventing some pieces from being undercooked while others are overdone.
- Sharp Serrated Knife for Slicing: A sharp serrated knife is your best friend when slicing the partially baked logs. It helps you get clean, even cuts without crumbling the delicate biscotti, which can happen if you use a dull or straight-edged knife.
- Cool Completely Before Dipping: For the best results with your chocolate coating, ensure the biscotti are completely cooled before dipping. Warm biscotti can cause the chocolate to melt, thin out too much, or not adhere properly, leading to a messy finish. Patience here pays off!
- Experiment with Chocolate: While semi-sweet is a classic choice for dipping, don’t hesitate to use dark, milk, or even white chocolate for your coating. Each will offer a slightly different flavor profile that complements the peppermint beautifully. You could even use a combination for a marbled effect.
Peppermint Biscotti
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Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 tsp peppermint extract
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup crushed peppermint candy or candy canes
CHOCOLATE COATING
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp shortening
- ½ cup crushed peppermint candy
Instructions
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In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. Add eggs and peppermint extract and beat for 2-3 more minutes.
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In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the crushed peppermint candy. Add to the creamed butter mixture and mix until combined. Dough will be stiff.
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Divide the dough in half. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Roll each half into a rectangle that is about 12 inches by 2 ½ inches. Bake the two large rectangles on the baking sheet for about 25-30 minutes or just until golden brown. Transfer to wire racks and cool for 15 minutes.
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Transfer the partially cooled rectangles to a cutting board and cut diagonally with a sharp knife into 1/2-inch slices. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until firm.
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Transfer the slices to a wire rack to cool.
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Place the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and then microwave for another 30 seconds. Stir until the mixture is smooth. Dip one end of each cookie in the chocolate and then roll in the crushed peppermint candy. Place on waxed paper until set. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
Storage and Freezing Your Peppermint Biscotti
One of the many advantages of biscotti is its excellent shelf life, making it a fantastic cookie to bake ahead for the holidays or to enjoy over an extended period. Proper storage is key to maintaining its crisp texture and fresh flavor.
How long will homemade biscotti stay fresh? If you store your finished peppermint biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature, they will remain wonderfully fresh for up to 1 to 2 weeks. While traditional biscotti (which often contains less fat) can last even longer, the addition of butter in this recipe makes it slightly less shelf-stable than its leaner counterparts. However, a week or two of freshness is still significantly longer than many other cookie varieties, giving you ample time to savor these festive treats.
Can I freeze homemade peppermint biscotti?
Absolutely! Biscotti freezes exceptionally well, making it perfect for meal prepping your holiday treats or simply having a stash of delicious cookies on hand. To freeze them, first ensure your cooled and set biscotti pieces (with or without the chocolate coating) are placed in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them solid for about 2 hours. This “flash freezing” prevents them from sticking together. Once solid, transfer the frozen biscotti to a freezer-safe, airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months without losing their quality or crunchy texture.
When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply remove the desired number of frozen biscotti from the freezer. They thaw quite quickly; allow them about 15-20 minutes at room temperature while you prepare your favorite warm beverage. They’ll be ready to dip and delight in no time, making fresh-tasting treats accessible whenever you crave them!
Achieving the Perfect Slice: How Thick Should Biscotti Be Cut?
The thickness of your biscotti slices plays a crucial role in their final texture and appearance. Generally, biscotti is cut to be about 1/2 an inch thick. This measurement provides the ideal balance for a sturdy cookie that holds up well for dipping, yet is still pleasantly crisp after the second bake. This dimension is part of what gives classic biscotti its iconic crunch and shape.
While you certainly have the freedom to cut them thicker or thinner, be aware that adjusting the thickness will affect the outcome. Thicker slices will result in a chewier biscotti that might require a slightly longer second bake to become fully firm and dry, otherwise they could be soft in the middle. Conversely, thinner slices will be even crispier and might bake faster, requiring you to reduce the second baking time to prevent them from becoming too hard or burnt. Sticking to the 1/2-inch recommendation is a reliable way to achieve consistently perfect homemade biscotti with that desirable, satisfying crunch.
More Delicious Peppermint Cookie Recipes to Try This Season:
- PEPPERMINT WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
- PEPPERMINT OREO COOKIES
- PEPPERMINT CUT-OUT COOKIES
- PEPPERMINT SNOWMAN COOKIES
- PEPPERMINT SHORTBREAD COOKIES
- PEPPERMINT BARK COOKIES
- PEPPERMINT VANILLA SHORTBREAD COOKIES
- PEPPERMINT MELTAWAYS
- PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
- PEPPERMINT BUTTER COOKIES
- PEPPERMINT COOKIE BARS
- PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE SANDWICH COOKIES
- CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BLOSSOMS
We hope this comprehensive guide has inspired you to bake a batch of these exquisite Peppermint Biscotti. With their refreshing flavor, satisfying crunch, and elegant presentation, they are truly the perfect treat for brightening up your holidays or simply enjoying a moment of delicious indulgence. This easy biscotti recipe is designed for success, providing you with decadent, pretty cookies that everyone will love. Don’t hesitate to try making these delicious holiday cookies – you’ll be glad you did!