Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (2024)

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Light, crisp, not too sweet and delicately flavored with anise seed, these Italian anise biscotti are the perfect dunking cookies. You won’t believe how easy it is to whip up a batch of homemade biscotti in minutes!

Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (1)

I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed the sweet, licorice flavor of anise seed in baked goods until I made biscotti di San Martino, a popular Sicilian cookie enjoyed on November 11th for St-Martin’s Day.

This recipe inspired me to adapt my mother’s traditional almond biscotti recipe and transform it into anise seed biscotti, also known as anicini.

I enjoy biting into the anise seed dispersed throughout the cookie dough, however you may also substitute with ground anise seed; anise extract or even anise liqueur. Check out a complete list of possible substitutions and add-ins further below in this post!

Here’s why you’ll want to try out this recipe!

  • This recipe is made with few ingredients, only 7 to be precise!
  • No special equipment is necessary to prepare this Italian biscotti recipe.
  • It is virtually effortless. Stir all ingredients together in a bowl, shape into logs, bake, slice and bake again for that wonderfully satisfying crisp texture.
  • These not too sweet biscotti are the ones you’ll reach for to dunk in your coffee.
  • Due to their dry, crisp texture, biscotti with anise seed keep for a while stored at room temperature or, if you prefer, they freeze well.
  • These twice baked cookies are the perfect addition to your holiday cookie platters.
Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (2)

Table Of Contents

  1. Here's why you'll want to try out this recipe!
  2. Ingredient list
  3. Step by Step Instructions
  4. Recipe Notes
  5. Check out more Italian cookie recipes!
  6. Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe

Ingredient list

Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (3)
  • Eggs
  • Granulated sugar
  • Vegetable oil
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Anise seed

The following are step by step instructions with images to guide you through this recipe. Please scroll to the end of this post for the detailed printable recipe card.

Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (4)

Step by Step Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Whisk together the eggs; sugar and vegetable oil in a large bowl until pale and frothy.
  • Sift the all-purpose flour; baking powder and salt and add to the wet ingredients. Sprinkle the anise seed over the dry ingredients.
  • Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to combine the wet and dry ingredients. Stir only until there are no visible traces of flour.
  • The dough will be thick and sticky.
Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (5)
Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (6)
Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (7)
Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (8)
Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (9)
  • Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and divide in two.
  • Shape the dough into approximately a 8 cm x 30 cm log with a thickness of about 2 cm.
  • Carefully transfer it to the prepared baking sheet.
  • If you prefer, you may also shape it directly on the baking sheet to avoid having to transfer it.
  • Repeat with the second piece of dough.
Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (10)
Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (11)
Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (12)
  • Bake for 25 minutes or until the dough is golden brown underneath.
  • Transfer to a wire rack to cool for about 15 minutes.
  • Slice crosswise or at a diagonal with a chef’s knife into 2 cm thick biscotti.
  • Reduce the oven to 275 degrees F, place the biscotti, cut side facing up, back onto the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes (or until crisp), flipping the cookies halfway.
  • Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before storing or serving.
Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (13)
Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (14)
Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (15)

Recipe Notes

Substitutions for anise seed

-2 tsp. ground anise
-1 tsp. anise extract
-1-2 tbsp. anise liqueur such as Anisette
-For double anise flavor, add 1-2 tbsp anise liqueur to the original recipe along with the anice seed.

Possible add-ins (choose one)

-1 tsp. vanilla extract
-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
-grated zest of 1 lemon
-1 cup of toasted, chopped almonds

Storage

-Since biscotti are dry cookies, they can be kept stored in a well sealed container at room temperature for several weeks.

Freeze

-Place in freezer safe, airtight bags or container for up to 3 months.
-Defrost at room temperature before serving.

Check out more Italian cookie recipes!

  • Classic Almond Biscotti with Variations
  • Cuccidati – Sicilian Fig Cookies
  • Italian Nut and Jam Rolled Cookies
  • Biscotti di San Martino
  • Sheet Pan Almond Biscotti
  • Chewy Amaretti Cookies
  • Biscotti Regina
  • Pistachio Amaretti
  • Chocolate and Espresso Amaretti
  • Tetù (Sicilian Chocolate Spice Cookies)
  • Chocolate Pizzelle Cookies
  • Italian Pizzelle Cookies
  • Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (17)

Tried this recipe?Mention @mangiabedda or tag #mangiabedda!

Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe

Light, crisp, not too sweet and delicately flavored with anise seed, these Italian anise biscotti are the cookies you want on hand to dunk in your cup of coffee. You won't believe how easy it is to whip up a batch of homemade biscotti in minutes!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Italian anise seed biscotti

Servings: 30 cookies

Calories: 91kcal

Author: Nadia Fazio

Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tbsp. vegetable oil
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tsp. baking powder
  • 2 tsp. anise seed
  • ¼ tsp. salt

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  • Whisk together the eggs; sugar and vegetable oil in a large bowl until pale and frothy.

  • Sift the all-purpose flour; baking powder and salt and add to the bowl with the wet ingredients.

  • Sprinkle the anise seed over the dry ingredients.

  • Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to combine the wet and dry ingredients. Stir only until there are no visible traces of flour. The dough will be thick and sticky.

  • Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and divide in two.

  • Shape the dough into approximately a 8 cm x 30 cm log with a thickness of about 2 cm.

  • Carefully transfer it to the prepared baking sheet. If you prefer, you may also shape the dough directly on the baking sheet to avoid having to transfer it. Repeat with the second piece of dough.

  • Bake for 25 minutes or until the dough is golden brown underneath.

  • Transfer to a wire rack to cool for about 15 minutes.

  • Lower the oven temperature to 275 degrees F. Slice the logs crosswise or at a diagonal with a chef's knife to slice into 2 cm thick biscotti.

  • Transfer the cut biscotti back onto the baking sheet (cut side facing up), and bake for 30 minutes (or until crisp), flipping the cookies halfway.

  • Return the biscotti to the wire rack and let cool completely before storing them.

Notes

Substitutions for anise seed:

-2 tsp. ground anise
-1 tsp. anise extract
-1-2 tbsp. anise liqueur such as Anisette
-For double anise flavor, add 1-2 tbsp anise liqueur to the original recipe along with the anice seed.

Possible add-ins (choose one)

-1 tsp. vanilla extract
-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
-grated zest of 1 lemon
-1 cup of toasted, chopped almonds

Storage:

-Since biscotti are dry cookies, they can be kept stored in a well sealed container at room temperature for several weeks.

To freeze:

-Since biscotti are dry cookies, they can be kept stored in a well sealed container at room temperature for several weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 74mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 37IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (18)Anna

    Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (19)
    Really really tasty! I love anise seeds so next time I will add an extra tsp !
    Thank you for making it easy!

    Reply

    • Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (20)Nadia

      Thank you Anna, so glad you enjoyed them and you sure can increase the amount of anise seeds, I too enjoy their flavor!

      Reply

  2. Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (21)Elizabeth Graffa*gna

    Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (22)
    Quintessential Anise Biscotti! We LOVED it! Recipe was easy to follow, my dough was a bit runnier than it probably should have been because my loaves, before baking, did not look so well-shaped as in the photos! The biscotti still turned out beautifully and we enjoyed every last one! Thanks for sharing Nadia!

    Reply

    • Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (23)Nadia

      Hi Elizabeth, so glad you enjoyed this easy recipe. Thank you for taking the time to comment!

      Reply

  3. Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (24)Michele

    Nice texture, nice flavor. I used anise extract and they came out delicious. I will be making them again.

    Reply

    • Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (25)Nadia

      Hi Michele, so glad you enjoyed these easy to make cookies. Thank you for your comment!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Easy Anise Biscotti Recipe - Mangia Bedda (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for anise seed in biscotti? ›

I enjoy biting into the anise seed dispersed throughout the cookie dough, however you may also substitute with ground anise seed; anise extract or even anise liqueur.

How far in advance can you make biscotti? ›

How Long Does Biscotti Last? Your homemade biscotti will last for up to one month in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep the biscotti longer, you can freeze it for up to three months.

Why is my biscotti dough dry? ›

If it's really dry, you may need to add an extra egg or some other liquid related to the recipe such as extract or liqueur. Conversely, if you find your batter to be really wet and sticky, then you will likely need to add more flour. Add it in small increments, and test the dough as you go.

What is Italian biscotti made of? ›

The mixture is composed exclusively of flour, sugar, eggs, pine nuts, and almonds that are not roasted or skinned. The traditional recipe uses no form of yeast or fat (butter, oil, milk).

What spice is similar to anise? ›

Cloves can be used to replace star anise because they also provide a sweetness along with bitter flavors to dishes. Use less cloves than you would star anise, and they have a stronger flavor.

What seed tastes like anise? ›

Substitutions for Anise

Fennel seeds and star anise are both great substitutes for anise seed. Fresh fennel bulbs and fronds also offer a similar flavor profile, but are milder tasting and not as conveniently substituted in various dishes.

What is the secret to good biscotti? ›

12 Tips For Making The Absolute Best Biscotti
  • Use room-temperature ingredients. ...
  • Boost the flavor with spices, extracts, and zest. ...
  • Toss in some add-ins for flavor and texture. ...
  • Let the dough chill before shaping. ...
  • Use floured or greased hands to shape the dough. ...
  • Shape the dough into a smaller loaf than you want.
May 29, 2023

Should you refrigerate biscotti dough before baking? ›

Because the dough can be sticky and hard to form, it's important to chill the batter for a good 30 minutes before baking the first time.

What is the difference between Italian and American biscotti? ›

Here it is, a biscotti recipe everyone can enjoy — unlike classic Italian biscotti, which are quite hard, these are light and crunchy. Biscotti bake twice rather than once, and thus take a bit longer start-to-finish than normal drop cookies.

Is it better to use butter or oil for biscotti? ›

My mom taught me how to make biscotti and the real way is to only use melted butter that gets whisked into beaten eggs and sugar. It's almost like making muffin batter, except the proportion of dry ingredients outweighs the wet ingredients to leave you with a stiffer (but not dry) dough.

What happens if you forget baking powder in biscotti? ›

Most baked goods need a leavening agent to make them rise, and if you leave it out, your cake or your cookies will fall flat. Baking powder makes dough rise because it contains both a base and an acid in dried form.

Do you need to sift flour for biscotti? ›

In summary, to produce a consistent crunch in your biscotti, it is necessary to measure and sift the ingredients. It may take some trial and error before you find out what ratio of flour-to-fat that works best for you, but remember that sifting and measuring your ingredients helps create perfect crispiness!

What do Italians drink with biscotti? ›

As they do in Tuscany, you can dip your biscotti into rich red wines, especially those on the sweeter side. Marsala wine and Vin Santo are the wines of choices for dipping. Most connoisseurs on either side of the pond agree that dipping biscotti into a sweet Italian wine is the perfect end to a hearty Italian meal.

How do you know when biscotti are done? ›

If the biscotto feels soft, like a piece of cake, give it another 5 minutes in the oven. If it feels firm but still gives a bit when you poke it, take it out for rather soft-textured but still crunchy biscotti.

What do you dip biscotti in in Italy? ›

That's why in Italy, the crunchy are almost always dipped in a sweet wine called vin santo. Like cantucci, vin santo has its origins in Tuscany. It's usually made with trebbiano and malvasia grapes, and the slightly syrupy, amber-hued wine can have flavors of honey, hazelnut, and dried apricot.

What is a substitute for anise seeds in baking? ›

5 Creative Substitutes for Anise Seeds
  • 1 – Fennel Seeds.
  • 2 – Chinese Five Spice Powder.
  • 3 – Allspice.
  • 4 – Ground Cloves and Ceylon Cinnamon Powder.
  • 5 – Caraway Seeds.
Jun 4, 2024

What can I use if I don't have star anise? ›

Tarragon has notes of vanilla, mint, and eucalyptus. The combination of these two ingredients creates a taste similar to star anise. An equal mix of a teaspoon of caraway seeds and dried tarragon can replace star anise in a recipe.

What flavoring seeds are used in biscotti? ›

i have a biscotti recipe that calls for using anise seeds for its anise flavor yet another biscotti recipe that calls for getting the flavor from an anise-flavored liqueur (they mention sambuca).

Can I substitute almond extract for anise? ›

They have a strong, but not overbearing licorice flavor to them that makes them stand out from the normal butter or sugar cookies. If you don't think you or your family or friends would like anise flavored cookies, feel free to substitute the anise extract with almond extract or vanilla extract.

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