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Pistachio Biscotti

These crispy pistachio biscotti slices are a simple variation of the classic Italian biscotti – the famous twice-baked cookie known for its light, crunchy texture. Biscotti are traditionally served with coffee or sweet dessert wines, but they’re just as good alongside tea, cocktails, or even a scoop of ice cream. This version is delicately spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and brightened with fresh orange zest, while pistachios add a pleasant nutty flavour and a bit of colour. The dough itself is surprisingly light, made with whipped egg whites rather than a heavy butter base, which gives the cookies a crisp texture without feeling overly rich. Like all traditional biscotti, the dough is first baked as a small loaf. Once cooled, it’s sliced thinly and returned to the oven for a second bake. This extra step dries the cookies out and creates their signature crunch – perfect for dipping into coffee, dessert creams, or sweet sauces. These pistachio biscotti are great for entertaining, picnics or casual snacking, and they keep well for days in an airtight container. Make a batch ahead of time and you’ll always have something crisp and elegant to serve with drinks or dessert.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Resting Time 4 hours
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 1234

Ingredients
  

  • 3 egg whites
  • 50 g sugar
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp grated orange zest
  • 100 g flour
  • 100 g pistachios

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line an 8 × 26 cm (9 × 5 inch) loaf pan with baking paper.
  2. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until they become light and foamy. hey should hold a soft structure, not completely stiff. Gradually add the sugar while mixing, continuing until the sugar has fully dissolved.
  3. Gently fold in the ground spices, orange zest, pistachios and flour until evenly combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan.
  4. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the top is lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let the loaf cool completely in the pan.
  5. Once cooled, wrap the loaf in a clean kitchen towel and refrigerate overnight.
  6. The next day, use a sharp bread knife to cut the chilled loaf into about 3 mm thick slices, slicing slightly diagonally.
  7. Arrange the slices on a baking sheet and bake in a 150°C (300°F) oven for about 15 minutes, until dry and crisp. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before serving.