Italian Roccoco Biscotti Recipe (2025)

ByRosemaryNovember 30, 2018March 4, 2020March 4, 2020

These Traditional Christmas Cookies from Naples, Roccoco Biscotti are the perfect dunking cookie. A fast and easy cookie recipe that is full of almonds and so tasty. Serve with a glass of wine, Spumonte or even a cup of tea or an espresso!

Roccoco Biscotti

An Italian Christmas is very different then the Canadian one I grew up with. No stuffed Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy or even Shortbread!

But I have to say I can’t complain about the Roast Lamb, Crepe Cannelloni, Panettone or Biscotti. Including these Simple but very tasty Roccoco Biscotti.

Where do Roccoco come from?

These cookies are originally from Naples and are served at Christmas Time, preferably with a class of wine, Spumonte, Limoncello or Marsala or if you prefer a cup of tea.

Interesting to know, the longer you bake them (without letting them burn) the harder they get. I bake mine for about 18 minutes and they are neither hard nor soft.

Although they could have gone another 3-5 minutes if you prefer harder biscuits, I have even heard an extra 10 minutes!

They are not a terribly sweet cookie, but have a distinct fall taste and aroma.

It’s best to store these cookies in an air tight container and they will keep for up to a week.

How to Make Roccoco Biscotti

• Toast the whole almonds, remove about 10 to top the biscotti with.
• The remaining almonds coarsely shop.
• In a large bowl add the flour, make a well in the middle and add the sugar, honey, chopped almonds, allspice, baking powder and the lemon and orange zest, stir to combine.
• Add the water a little at time until you have a soft, compact dough that isn’t sticky.
• Knead a few times on a lightly floured flat surface.
• Remove pieces of dough and roll into about 4 inch ropes, then form into circles.
• Place the circles on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Brush the cookies with an egg wash.
• Cut remaining almonds into large pieces and place 3 pieces on each cookie. Bake for about 18-20 minutes.
• Let cool before serving.

How to Roast Almonds

Preheat oven to 350F (180C), spread the almonds in an even layer on a cookie sheet, bake for about 8-12 minutes, stir the nuts 2-3 times while baking.

Remove the nuts from the oven and immediately transfer to a clean plate. Do not let the nuts cool on the cookie tray or they could burn.

What is Pisto?

The traditional Naples Roccoco Recipe calls for an ingredient called Pisto. Which is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper and cloves.

I was not able to find it where I am, and I wasn’t going to go all the way to Naples to get a jar of spice, although Pizza al Napoletana, I wouldn’t say no to!

So I came to the conclusion that all spice would be the perfect substitute, and that is what I used.

More Delicious Italian Christmas Sweets

Italian Almond Cookies

Chocolate Torrone

Lupin Beans

Struffoli

So whatever you bake for your Christmas Celebration be sure to include something traditionally Italian. Enjoy!

Roccoco Biscotti

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