🍋 Limoncello Almond Biscotti (FoodieMoms Original)

Bright, zesty, and delightfully crisp, Limoncello Almond Biscotti are the ultimate Italian-inspired treat. These golden cookies combine the sunny citrus flavor of limoncello with toasted almonds for a delicate balance of sweetness and crunch.

Perfect for dipping in coffee, espresso, or even a little glass of the namesake Italian liqueur, these biscotti bring a burst of lemony joy to your mornings or dessert trays.

Whether you bake them for the holidays, gift them in a jar, or enjoy them as a daily indulgence, these biscotti are as elegant as they are easy to make.

🌞 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ✅ Twice-baked perfection for the ideal crunch
• ✅ Infused with real limoncello for authentic flavor
• ✅ Crisp but tender — not too hard
• ✅ Beautiful for gifting or holiday cookie trays
• ✅ Pairs perfectly with coffee, tea, or dessert wine

FoodieMoms loves recipes that combine style and simplicity — and this biscotti checks both boxes beautifully.

🧺 Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• ¼ cup limoncello liqueur
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• ¾ cup sliced almonds (lightly toasted)
• Optional: powdered sugar for dusting

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Mix the dry ingredients.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

3. Beat wet ingredients.
In a large bowl, beat together the eggs and sugar until pale and thick (about 2–3 minutes). Add melted butter, limoncello, lemon zest, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix until well combined.

4. Combine.
Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms. Fold in the sliced almonds.

5. Shape the biscotti.
Divide the dough in half. On the baking sheet, shape each half into a log about 12 inches long and 2 inches wide. Flatten slightly with your hands.

6. First bake.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300°F (150°C).

7. Slice.
Using a serrated knife, cut each log diagonally into ¾-inch slices. Lay slices cut side down on the baking sheet.

8. Second bake.
Return to the oven and bake for 10 minutes per side, until crisp and golden.

9. Cool and dust.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Limoncello Almond Biscotti

Crisp, lemony biscotti infused with limoncello and almonds — a bright, elegant Italian treat perfect for coffee or gifting.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 24 pieces

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 120

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
• 1/4 cup limoncello
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 3/4 cup sliced almonds toasted
• powdered sugar optional for dusting

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls
• Hand mixer or whisk
• Zester
• Serrated knife

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
3. Beat eggs and sugar until pale; add butter, limoncello, zest, and extracts.
4. Stir in dry ingredients, then fold in almonds.
5. Shape into two logs and bake 25 minutes.
6. Cool 10 minutes, slice diagonally, reduce oven to 300°F (150°C).
7. Bake 10 minutes per side until crisp.
8. Cool completely and dust with powdered sugar.

Notes

Store biscotti in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

💡 FoodieMoms Tips

1. Use fresh lemon zest — not bottled juice.
   The zest adds bright, aromatic oils that bottled lemon juice can’t match.
2. Limoncello quality matters.
   A smooth, not overly sweet limoncello (like homemade or Italian brands) creates the best flavor.
3. Toast the almonds first.
   Lightly toasting sliced almonds enhances the nutty aroma and crunch.
4. Slice with a gentle sawing motion.
   Biscotti crumble easily when hot, so slice carefully while slightly warm.
5. For softer biscotti:
   Bake slightly less during the second bake — about 7 minutes per side.

🍋 What Is Limoncello?

Limoncello is a vibrant Italian lemon liqueur, traditionally made from the zest of Amalfi Coast lemons steeped in vodka or grain alcohol. It’s sweet, aromatic, and perfect for flavoring desserts — adding a bright citrus kick without bitterness.

In this biscotti, limoncello brings a subtle sophistication that pairs beautifully with toasted almonds and vanilla.

🍯 Variations

• Lemon Pistachio Biscotti: Replace almonds with chopped pistachios for a colorful twist.
• White Chocolate Drizzle: After cooling, drizzle melted white chocolate across the tops for an indulgent finish.
• Glazed Limoncello Biscotti: Mix ½ cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons limoncello and brush over cooled biscotti.
• Lemon Cranberry Biscotti: Add ½ cup dried cranberries for a tart burst.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

☕ Serving Suggestions

• Enjoy with espresso, cappuccino, or hot tea.
• Serve after dinner with a chilled glass of limoncello or dessert wine.
• Wrap a few biscotti in clear cellophane with a lemon ribbon for homemade gifts.
• Perfect addition to holiday cookie exchanges and brunch buffets.

🧠 Fun Facts

• Biscotti means “twice cooked” in Italian — referring to the double baking that gives them their iconic crunch.
• Traditional biscotti originated from Prato, Italy, and were made for long shelf life during travel.
• Italian grandmothers often dunk biscotti in Vin Santo, a sweet Tuscan dessert wine.

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Storage: Store biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
• Freezer-Friendly: Freeze baked biscotti for up to 3 months in a sealed bag.
• Make Ahead: You can bake the first stage, slice, and freeze before the second bake — just finish baking when needed.

❤️ Why This Biscotti Is a FoodieMoms Favorite

There’s something magical about baking biscotti — the aroma of lemon zest filling your kitchen, the golden slices cooling on the counter, the satisfying snap when you break one in half.

This Limoncello Almond Biscotti recipe hits the sweet spot between traditional Italian baking and modern home cooking: easy, elegant, and full of bright flavor.

It’s a treat you’ll want to bake not just for the holidays, but year-round — because every day deserves a little sunshine and crunch. 🌞

🔢 Nutrition (Per Biscotti Approx.)

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 3g
• Fat: 5g
• Carbs: 16g
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 45mg
• Calcium: 2% DV
• Iron: 3% DV