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This Orange Cranberry Biscotti is a flavorful and festive holiday treat. Full of orange flavor dotted with cranberries, and drizzled with white chocolate goodness!

Orange cranberry biscotti on a plate, the top one with a bite missing

Easy & Festive Biscotti Recipe

I am a sucker for sweet, crunchy biscotti. Especially around this time of year when holiday baking is in full swing. And when there are orange and cranberries in the mix, I simply cannot say no.

This recipe is one that I developed last Christmas and it has become my favorite biscotti recipe. It has a simple base that uses pantry staples. It includes the addition of orange extract and dried cranberries for a sweet but tart flavor and festive look.

Since biscotti can last for weeks at room temperature, these orange cranberry cookies are ideal for making in advance. You can add them to cookie trays or enjoy them throughout the holiday season. You’ll love always having a dessert on hand and your guests will thank you for it!

I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t love this cranberry orange biscotti with white chocolate drizzle. I know you’ll love it too!

Overhead view of biscotti drizzled with white chocolate

What You’ll Need

This recipe is made with all your basic biscotti ingredients, with the addition of orange extract and dried cranberries.

Olive oil – Extra virgin light olive oil is the best for this recipe, as it has a lighter flavor.
Granulated sugar
Orange extract – Provides the bright citrus flavor. I find it works better than orange juice or orange zest in this type of cookie.
Eggs – Eggs must be at room temperature
All-purpose flour
Salt
Baking powder – The leavening agent to allow the biscotti to rise.
Dried cranberries – Add the slightly tart flavor that makes these so special.
White chocolate – Optional for a drizzle topping.

How to Make Orange Cranbery Biscotti

This biscotti is made using just a stand mixer and spatula, no special tools are needed.

Flour added to a bowl with creamed butter and sugar.

Make the biscotti dough. Cream the oil and sugar then beat in the orange extract and eggs.

In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients. Add to the egg mixture, mixing just until the dough forms. Stir in the cranberries.

Cranberries added to a bowl with biscotti dough

Orange cranberry biscotti dough in a mixing bowl

Shape the dough. On a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into 12×2 inch logs. Transfer the logs to a parchment-lined baking sheet and flatten them to about ½ inch thick.

Bake. Bake the logs for 25 to 30 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Cool enough to touch then slice into ½-inch diagonal slices.

Lay each slice cut side down and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes. Cool completely on a cooling rack.

Orange cranberry biscotti on a baking sheet

Make the drizzle. Melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water, stirring until melted and smooth.

Transfer to a piping bag or zip-top bag. Drizzle over the biscotti in a decorative way.

Tips for Success

If you’re ready to make perfectly baked orange biscotti, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Use a sharp knife. Be sure to use a sharp or serrated knife for clean and easy cuts.
Play around with the spices. I chose to focus on the orange extract for flavor. But, you can also add in some additional spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom or nutmeg if desired.
Use chocolate bars, not chocolate chips. If you choose to add the white chocolate drizzle, opt for bars of white chocolate if possible. If you need to use white chocolate chips, add a tablespoon of canola oil for easier melting.

Overhead view of a orange cranberry biscotti over a cup of coffee

Serving Suggestions

Sweet, crunchy biscotti is perfect for enjoying with coffee or tea any time of the day. The texture is perfect for dunking. While they’re sweet and suitable for dessert, they’re not too sweet to be an afternoon snack.

They are also perfect for portioning out into little gift bags for the holidays. This orange cranberry biscotti is actually my favorite thing to package and mail to family.

Friends and family love getting homemade cookies in the mail. They are always so grateful and appreciative of the love and effort poured into those types of gifts.

How to Store

How to store biscotti. If you add the white chocolate drizzle, your orange cranberry biscotti will keep for 4-5 days at room temperature. Without drizzle, it will last for up to 3 weeks at room temperature.
Can I freeze biscotti? Yes, biscotti can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the fridge then bring to room temperature to enjoy.

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