ItalianMedium · Warm
Twice-baked Italian-style cookies enriched with honey and toasted pistachios, scented with orange zest — a bridge between Naima Benali's Moroccan sweetness and the crunch of traditional cantuccini.
20 min
40 min
1h
Method
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Toast pistachios in the dry oven or a pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and barely golden. Roughly chop and set aside.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter, white-sugar, and orange zest on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
Fold in toasted pistachios by hand until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Divide dough in half and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Shape each half into a log about 25 cm long and 7 cm wide, flattening the tops slightly.
Bake at 180°C for 20-22 minutes until the logs are set and lightly golden at the edges. The centers should still feel soft. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes.
Reduce oven to 150°C (300°F). Using a serrated knife, cut each log into 1.5 cm thick slices on the diagonal. Lay slices cut-side down on the baking sheet.
Bake at 150°C for 8 minutes. Flip each slice and bake another 7-8 minutes until golden and crisp throughout. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled for 5 minutes, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of honey in thin ribbons. Let cool fully before storing in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Nutri-Score
Needs balance
A–E · lower is better · score 16
Calories
152
per serving
Protein
3g
Carbs
26g
Fat
5g
Sat. fat
2g
Fiber
1g
Sugar
17g
Sodium
81mg
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
Environmental impact
Moderate impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
0.1
per serving
Water
0.1m³
Land
6.3Pt
Runoff
0.02g P
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
Umami
Sweet
Salty
Sour
Bitter
Spicy
Textures
Aromas
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
OvenSafety & Storage
Cross Contamination
Use dedicated equipment or thoroughly clean all utensils, cutting boards, and surfaces after contact with pistachios to prevent tree-nut cross-contact for allergic individuals.
Prevent cross-contact with other allergens by using clean bowls and mixer attachments when preparing this recipe near other allergen-containing foods.
Cooking Temperature
First bake requires 180°C (350°F) for 20-22 minutes to set dough logs; second bake reduces to 150°C (300°F) for 15-16 minutes total to achieve proper crunch without burning.
Handling
Allow logs to cool 5 minutes before slicing with a serrated knife to prevent crumbling and ensure clean 1.5cm diagonal cuts.
Storage
Store completely cooled biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks; ensure no moisture enters container to maintain crispness.
Allergen Warning
This recipe contains eggs, wheat, milk, and tree nuts (pistachios); verify all ingredients are free from cross-contamination before serving to allergen-sensitive individuals.
High Risk Population
Young children, elderly individuals, and immunocompromised persons should consume only fully cooled biscotti to avoid thermal injury from crisp, hard texture.
Pro Tips
Technique
Resist the urge to slice while the logs are scorching hot — let them rest those precious five minutes so the crumb firms enough to cut cleanly without crumbling. A serrated knife sawing gently will give you slices as perfect as my grandmother's.
Substitution
Raw honey works beautifully here, but if you have date molasses in your pantry, a tablespoon swapped for some of the honey will add a deeper, more caramelized sweetness that speaks of the southern Moroccan deserts.
From the chef
Twice-baked and unapologetically crunchy, these biscotti earn their depth through patience: a first bake to set the dough into golden logs, a second at lower heat to coax out the crisp that makes each slice worth savoring slowly. Orange zest perfumes the butter from the very beginning, pistachios add their green sweetness throughout, and a ribbon of honey drizzled once the cookies cool ties the whole thing together like amber. There is a lesson baked into the process itself — the second baking is where everything resolves.
Source: generated · June 13, 2026