Chocolate Chip Biscotti | browneyedbaker.com #recipe

Like any kid who had a grandparent that immigrated from Italy, I was a biscotti junkie by the time I was eight years old. My drug of choice was, of course, my grandma’s biscotti, which were hard, crunchy and loaded with butternut flavor. I knew little about any other types of biscotti that existed, except for those that were dipped in chocolate, which we sometimes came across on our way out of an Italian market or restaurant.

That all changed when I got to college, however. On our campus, we had a little deli across from the bookstore, and they sold the absolute best chocolate chip biscotti in a glass jar near the register. I liked to give myself extra time in the mornings so I could go out of my way to snag one on my way to class and nibble on it throughout the morning. It was totally a sense of being a grown up and allowing myself to eat a cookie for breakfast if I wanted. And oh, did I want. Every morning. Without fail, until I graduated.

Chocolate Chip Biscotti | browneyedbaker.com #recipe

It’s been over 12 years since I graduated (gasp!), but I haven’t forgotten about those chocolate chip biscotti. The little deli isn’t there anymore, as the campus has been updated and renovated quite a bit since I left, and I’m pretty sure it was usurped by a Starbucks. I’ve thought about recreating those biscotti so many times, but really had no idea where to start.

They weren’t quite as crunchy as my grandma’s, and they were a little more sweet. After doing some digging around, I came across a unique biscotti recipe that used a blend of butter and shortening. Up until that point, I had only ever seen them made with butter or vegetable oil. I thought that this might be the key to getting the texture that I was looking for, and indeed it was!

These biscotti are certainly firm, but more tender than crunchy and are loaded with chocolate chips. If you prefer a little less chocolate (what?!), you could take the chocolate chips down to 1 cup, but that’s the only modification I would make. I know many people opt not to bake with shortening, but it does have different properties than butter, and in this instance, it is totally the difference maker in achieving the texture I was going after.

Chocolate Chip Biscotti | browneyedbaker.com #recipe

I haven’t been able to stop eating these since I made them, and I love that I can have a little taste of my favorite college deli whenever I want now!

One year ago: Classic Buttermilk Waffles
Two years ago: Cinnamon-Almond French Toast
Three years ago: Kentucky Derby Chocolate Bourbon Walnut Pie
Four years ago: Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
Five years ago: Coffee-and-Espresso Layered Cheesecake

Chocolate Chip Biscotti

Tender biscotti cookies loaded with chocolate chip cookies.
4.46 (22 ratings)

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup (56.75 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ¼ cup (51.25 g) vegetable shortening
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon (0.75 teaspoon) salt
  • 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
  • cups (270 g) semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter, shortening and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, and stopping to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl between additions. Beat in the vanilla extract, baking powder and salt. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour until incorporated. Add the chocolate chips and mix on low speed briefly to evenly distribute in the dough.
  • Turn out the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Divide the dough in two and shape each piece into a 12-inch log. Transfer the logs to the prepared baking sheet and, with damp fingers, lightly flatten the logs to about 3 inches wide.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the logs are lightly browned around the edges. Remove from the oven and let rest for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
  • Transfer the logs to a cutting board and, using a serrated knife, slice them on the diagonal into ¾-inch to 1-inch slices. Return the slices, cut-side-up, to the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, then turn them over and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

Nutritional values are based on one serving
Calories: 127kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 17mg, Sodium: 55mg, Potassium: 69mg, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 65IU, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 1mg

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