Nonna’s Chocolate Almond Biscotti Recipe

Growing up, one of my fondest memories was spending time with my grandmother, who was an excellent cook and baker, and the matriarch of our family. She visited her children and grandchildren regularly, and I couldn’t wait for her to stay with us because I knew she bake or cook something special.

One particular visit stands out in my memory when my grandmother came to stay with us for the holidays. I was nine years old and doing homework at the kitchen table. I remember my grandmother grabbing a cup of almonds, tossing them onto a pan, and putting them into the oven. When the roasted almonds had cooled, she spooned a bit of Nutella onto a plate, dipped a few almonds through it, and fed it to me. In Italian, she told me that the delicious combination of roasted almonds and chocolate is unmatched, and when you combine those flavors into Biscotti, it becomes the most delightful thing you’ll ever taste.

As a child, the experience was mind-blowing. The combination of roasted almonds and chocolate coated my palate with the perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavor. My grandmother was right; it was indeed the most delicious combination I’d ever tasted. She gestured with her hands and lips what is known as a “Chef’s kiss.” She proceeded to measure out the ingredients and whipped up a batch of chocolate almond biscotti.

Her recipe was straightforward, and the process was simple enough to follow. You only need a few baking essentials, like a mixing bowl, an electric mixer (or you can mix them by hand), a baking sheet, and parchment paper.

Chocolate Almond Biscotti Recipe

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups almond flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon of salt
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 XL Eggs
6 tablespoon shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
3/4 cup whole roasted almonds,
1 cup of chocolate chunks

Step-by-step instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a mixing bowl.
• In a separate bowl, beat together the sugar and shortening until it looks light and fluffy.
• Add eggs one at a time until well combined.
• Add vanilla and almond extract and mix well.
• Add the dry ingredients, almonds, and chocolate to the mixture and mix until the dough comes together. Do Not Over Mix!
• On a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into a log about 12 inches long and 2 inches wide.
• Place the log on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 30 minutes or until firm to the touch.
• Remove the log from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes.
• Using a sharp knife, slice the log into biscotti shapes (about 1/2 inch thick).
• Place the sliced Biscotti back on the baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until dry, crisp, and crunchy.

After about 45 minutes, the smell of freshly baked Biscotti filled the house, and the taste was nothing short of heavenly. My grandmother and mother sat at the kitchen table next to me, chatting and dunking chocolate almond biscotti in their espresso.

Growing up with my grandmother and baking biscotti is a memory I’ll always cherish. Her love for baking and cooking was evident in every bite, and I’m grateful she passed down the family biscotti recipe. Nothing beats the taste of her Biscotti.

So give it a shot and try my grandmother’s chocolate almond Biscotti recipe. Trust me; your taste buds will thank you! And don’t forget to share your results with us in the comments below and tag us on Instagram @CrunchyBiscotti