These exquisite Italian-inspired orange biscotti offer a delightful twist on traditional almond cookies, featuring tender centers filled with bright orange marmalade and dusted with powdered sugar. Unlike the hard, twice-baked biscotti you might expect, these are soft, delicate thumbprint-style cookies that melt in your mouth with every bite. The combination of nutty almond flour and vibrant orange creates a sophisticated flavor profile that captures the essence of Italian sunshine in each morsel.
Ingredients
- 2 large egg whites
- 200g almond flour (7 oz / 2 cups)
- 50g granulated sugar (1.8 oz / ¼ cup)
- 3 teaspoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
- 3 tablespoons high-quality orange marmalade
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the base mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg whites and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes slightly foamy and well combined (about 2-3 minutes by hand or 1 minute with an electric mixer).
- Create the dough: Add the almond flour, fresh orange zest, and orange juice to the egg white mixture. Stir gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until a smooth, cohesive dough forms that holds together when pressed.
- Shape the cookies: Using your hands or a small spoon, form the dough into uniform small balls about 1½ inches in diameter. If the dough feels sticky, lightly dust your hands with powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Place the cookie balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading.
- Create thumbprint wells: Using your thumb or the back of a small teaspoon, gently press down into the center of each cookie to create a well about ¼ inch deep. Be careful not to press all the way through to the bottom.
- Fill with marmalade: Spoon about ½ teaspoon of orange marmalade into each well, being careful not to overfill as the marmalade may bubble over during baking.
- Chill the cookies: Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator and let the cookies rest for at least 15 minutes. This helps them hold their shape during baking.
- Bake to perfection: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Position the baking sheet in the center of the oven and bake for 12 minutes, until the edges are lightly set and the surface appears slightly firm but still tender.
- Cool completely: The cookies should have a slightly crispy exterior but remain soft when removed from the oven. Transfer them to a wire cooling rack and let cool completely before handling.
- Finish and serve: Just before serving, dust the cooled cookies generously with powdered sugar using a fine-mesh sieve for an elegant presentation.
Time and Serving Information
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 42 minutes
Makes: 18-20 cookies
Calories per cookie: Approximately 85 calories
Nutrition highlights: Gluten-free, high in protein from almond flour and egg whites, rich in vitamin E and healthy monounsaturated fats, contains vitamin C from fresh orange.
Why These Italian Orange Biscotti Are Perfect for You
These sophisticated cookies deliver exceptional nutritional benefits while satisfying your sweet tooth with natural, wholesome ingredients. The almond flour base provides significantly more protein than traditional wheat flour, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels and providing sustained energy without the typical sugar crash associated with conventional cookies.
The egg whites contribute high-quality, complete protein while keeping the cookies naturally light and airy. This protein content makes these cookies more satisfying and filling than typical sweet treats, helping with portion control and making them suitable as a light breakfast option with coffee or tea.
Fresh orange juice and zest provide natural vitamin C, antioxidants, and bright citrus oils that not only enhance flavor but also support immune function. The orange marmalade adds natural fruit sugars and additional vitamin C, while the overall lower sugar content compared to traditional cookies makes these suitable for those monitoring their sugar intake.
Being naturally gluten-free, these cookies are perfect for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, while the elegant presentation makes them ideal for entertaining, holiday cookie exchanges, or as a thoughtful homemade gift. The delicate texture and sophisticated flavor profile elevate these from everyday treats to special occasion cookies that showcase the beautiful simplicity of quality Italian-inspired baking.