Lemon Biscotti is a crunchy sweet homemade treat with a citrus twist! Coffee time is even better with a plate of homemade biscotti. Dip in white chocolate for a perfect finishing touch.
My obsession with biscotti making doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon! Have you tried these Coconut Biscotti yet? Or give our classic snickerdoodle biscotti recipe a try soon.
What is Biscotti
Biscotti are oblong crunchy biscuits with Italian origins.
I call them cookies because they’re slightly sweet (and often made sweeter with sugared toppings). But they’re really more of a cross between a biscuit and cookie.
Twice baked with a toasty exterior and crispy crumb, Biscotti are usually served with coffee for dunking! That means you can call them a breakfast food.
After making Pumpkin Spiced Biscotti, I dove head first into all kinds of flavors. I even made Red Velvet Biscotti!
These are absolutely perfect: crunchy, lemony, with just the right amount of sweetness! You’ll love these homemade biscotti for breakfast, dessert or an afternoon treat.
If you love these easy cookies, try our Italian ricotta cookies next. Or for another lemon twist, our lemon ricotta cookies are fantastic. You also can’t go wrong with this Italian linzer cookie recipe!
Ingredient Notes
- Butter- we use unsalted butter for most of our baking. This allows us to control any salt added. Be sure to use our tips and tricks on how to soften butter quickly.
- Lemon extract. This form of super concentrated lemon is key for giving the biscotti their lemon flavor without adding too much moisture to the dough.
- Lemon zest. Remove the zest from the whole lemon using a microplane grater or handheld zesting tool. Use our guide on how to zest a lemon.
- White chocolate melting wafers. I use Ghirardelli brand.
Easy Instructions
Make the dough. Beat butter and sugar, then add eggs, zest and lemon extract. Mix in flour and baking powder until a dough comes together.
Shape and Bake. Place dough on parchment lined baking sheet and press into a long rectangle. Bake for 25 minutes then remove and cool the dough for 10 minutes.
Slice and bake again. Cut the baked rectangle into 1 inch slices. Turn each onto its side and bake for another 16 minutes, flipping the lemon biscotti half way through baking.
Add topping. After the biscotti have cooled completely dip the tops into melted white chocolate. Sprinkle immediately with lemon zest and granulated sugar. Let set for a few minutes to let the chocolate harden.
Tips and Tricks
- The biscotti will look soft when you first take them out of the oven. Don’t worry–this is expected! They’ll get harder and crunchier as they cool.
- Use a serrated sharp knife when cutting biscotti. So much easier than a smooth blade and creates a perfect cut.
- Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the biscotti instead of dipping if you prefer. Both ways look beautiful.
- Store homemade lemon biscotti in an airtight container or ziploc bag. They will keep for about 10 days.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can freeze both biscotti dough and the baked biscotti. Freezing biscotti after baking will result in a biscuit that’s less crunchy. To help them crisp up again after thawing, you can heat them in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
White chocolate morsels can be melted in place of the wafers, however the topping will be harder when it sets. It’ll still taste delicious though, so go ahead and use white chocolate morsels if that’s what you have.
No, lemon juice will not give you the same results. Extract is highly concentrated making the lemon flavor strong even when you use just a tiny amount!
To add the same flavor with lemon juice would require much more juice and completely disrupt the levels of moisture in the recipe. Stick with the extract. It’s worth it!
More Lemon Desserts
- Lemon Cheesecake Bars
- The BEST Lemon Bars
- Lemon Cake Bars
- Lemon Poke Cake
- Coconut Lemon Cake
- Lemon Bundt cake
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Lemon Biscotti
Ingredients
For the biscotti:
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 lemon zested (about 1 teaspoon zest)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
For the garnish:
- ¾ cup Ghirardelli white chocolate melting wafers
- 1 lemon zested
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar for two minutes until well blended. Add in eggs, lemon extract and lemon zest. Add flour and baking powder, mixing until combined, and dough comes together.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat. Place dough on baking sheet and press (using floured hands) into a 12inch x 4inch rectangle.
- Bake for 25 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Remove and cool 10 minutes.
- Slice in 3/4-1inch slices. Turn each slice carefully onto it’s side. Return to oven and bake 8 minutes.
- Flip to opposite side and bake an additional 8 minutes. Remove and cool completely.
- In a small bowl combine lemon zest and granulated sugar. Mix with a fork until combined.
- Dip tops of each cooled biscotti into melted white chocolate and immediately sprinkle with lemon sugar. Allow to set (about 10 minutes) and enjoy.
- Store in an airtight container or ziploc bag for up to 10 days. ENJOY.
Notes
- The biscotti will look soft when you first take them out of the oven. Don’t worry–this is expected! They’ll get harder and crunchier as they cool.
- Use a serrated sharp knife when cutting biscotti. So much easier than a smooth blade and creates a perfect cut.
- Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the biscotti instead of dipping if you prefer. Both ways look beautiful.
- Store homemade lemon biscotti in an airtight container or ziploc bag. They will keep for about 10 days.
Nutrition
The only thing better than coffee is what you eat with it. Give this Lemon Biscotti recipe a try next time you need an impressive treat to share with your friends. Crunchy, sweet and delicious!
Love these, and have come back to this recipe many times. Who knew biscottis were this easy. I didn’t use white chocolate, just a half and half/powdered sugar glaze. But I did use your zesty sugar sprinkle on top. Love how you won’t chip a tooth with these. ; )
I made the lemon and the orange biscotti. Delicious!!
I am going to make the cherry recipe next. What do you think about white chocolate raspberry biscotti? Dried raspberries?
Almond flavoring? This is so exciting! I love to bake and I love biscotti ❤️
can these be frozen and thawed if needed for an event?
I’ve never tried freezing biscotti. You could totally do a test and see if it works!
I’m not a huge fan of biscotti, but you may have won me over with this lemon version. My daughter is a huge mug lover too. So fun.
This biscotti sounds wonderful! I’ve never had a citrus flavored biscotti, and that definitely needs to change soon. Hope you have a great Mother’s Day weekend, Aimee!
Thanks Marcie!!
I love all things lemon! One of the best things about biscotti (i think) is that it packages up so nicely as gifts. This lemon biscotti is just lovely!
I agree. It’s great for shipping!!
That lemon biscotti looks so fancy!
I love BoneFish Grill. I haven’t had their bang bang shrimp. I always want to order it, but my husband always wants the crab cakes. I’m thinking I need to order that as my meal 😀
Anyhow, these biscotti look amazing! I love anything lemon and you are right…these would go perfect with a hot cup of coffee 😀
Oh you MUST try the bang bang shrimp. WOrth it!!
I love mugs, too, and definitely have far too many. Guess I need to start looking at TJ Maxx! This biscotti sounds so fabulous- and is so pretty, too!!
Haha, sorry to give you a new place to haunt 🙂
Aimee, you always have the best biscotti! The best part about this biscotti is the topping!
Aww thanks Ashley. And I agree, the topping on this one was PHENOMENAL!!
These sound really good, but has a lot of butter & sugar in it tho…..do you have a more healthier recipe for biscotti ?
Sorry, I don’t.
Bang bang shrimp is amazing; looking forward to that copycat recipe! But first, I love this fresh spring twist on biscotti! I usually lump it into the Christmas gift category … not anymore!
Okay, I love lemon desserts and I love biscotti!! These look FANTASTIC!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
In love with this recipe, lemon zest and I have a veryyy special bond. + I’ve never made my own biscotti and that must change.
Yes. That must change!!!
I love your biscotti obsession! These look perfect!
Wishing I had a few of these on my plate right now, simply amazing! Thanks!
I love your obsession with biscotti! I’m thinking I need you to send me the whole batch just to taste test! 🙂
I really should. We always have biscotti coming out of the oven 🙂
Aimee, a biscotti obsession is a good thing 🙂 And lemon biscotti is great any time of the year in my book!
I’m wishing I had some to go with my coffee right now! I love lemon 🙂
Is there a Home Goods near you?! If so, you must must must try there! I always find the most adorable kitchen stuff at Home Goods. I drag my husband along all the time. And this biscotti?! Must have it! I used to eat biscotti every day in college but it has been a while. This one needs to happen soon!
I love Home Goods, but it’s not close to me. That could be very dangerous!