Biscotti Chicco di Caffè Recipe: Crunchy Italian Coffee Bean Cookies

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Wade Lockhart
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Why You’ll Love Biscotti Al Caffè A Forma Di Chicco Di Caffè

Biscotti Al Caffè A Forma Di Chicco Di Caffè are charming little Italian coffee bean cookies with a rich cocoa and coffee taste. They look fancy, but they are simple enough for home bakers of any skill level. If you want a treat that feels special without taking over your whole afternoon, this recipe fits perfectly.

  • Easy preparation: You only need one mixing bowl for the butter base, one bowl for the dry ingredients, and a short shaping step. The dough chills well, so you can work ahead and bake later.
  • Balanced treat: Each piece is small, with about 76.6 calories per cookie, which makes it easy to enjoy one or two with coffee or tea without going overboard.
  • Great for many occasions: These cookies work for holidays, lunchboxes, after-dinner coffee, or gifting. They also travel well, so they are a nice choice for picnics and road trips.
  • Distinctive flavor: The mix of cocoa powder, liquid coffee, and coffee powder gives these cookies a deep coffee aroma and a gentle bittersweet bite that stands out from regular butter cookies.
These cookies are a lovely match for slow mornings, quick snacks, or a cozy coffee break after dinner.

If you enjoy Italian-style bakes, you may also like our guide to home baking ideas from Homemade Tasty for more simple recipes that feel special.

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Essential Ingredients for Biscotti Al Caffè A Forma Di Chicco Di Caffè

Here is the full ingredient list for this Biscotti Chicco di Caffè Recipe. The recipe makes about 30 biscuits, and every ingredient has a job to do in the final texture and flavor.

  • 230 grams soft butter – Gives the dough its rich, tender texture and helps the cookies hold their shape.
  • 130 grams sugar – Adds sweetness and helps create a soft, delicate bite.
  • 120 grams flour – Builds the structure of the cookies.
  • 20 grams cocoa powder – Adds the dark color and gentle chocolate note that makes the cookies look like real coffee beans.
  • 20 milliliters liquid coffee – Brings in the coffee flavor and helps bind the dough.
  • 5 grams coffee powder – Deepens the coffee taste and boosts the aroma.

Special Dietary Options

  • Vegan: Use a plant-based butter alternative with a similar fat content, and check that your coffee powder is dairy-free.
  • Gluten-free: Swap the flour with a good gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum if needed.
  • Low-calorie: Try reducing the sugar slightly, though this may change the texture and spread.

For readers who like classic Italian cookies, you may also enjoy this traditional almond biscotti recipe for a different crunchy style.

How to Prepare the Perfect Biscotti Al Caffè A Forma Di Chicco Di Caffè: Step-by-Step Guide

This Biscotti Al Caffè A Forma Di Chicco Di Caffè recipe is easy, but the chilling steps matter a lot. They help the dough firm up so the cookies keep their bean shape and bake with a nice finish.

First Step: Make the coffee and prepare your workspace

Start by preparing the liquid coffee first, since you need it ready before mixing. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set out a mixing bowl, a small bowl for dry ingredients, plastic wrap, and a knife for the signature bean shape. This kind of quick prep makes the whole process smoother, especially if you are baking with kids or during a busy weekday.

Second Step: Cream the butter and sugar

Put the 230 grams soft butter and 130 grams sugar into a bowl. Mix them until creamy and smooth. The texture should look light and well blended, not grainy. This step gives the cookies their soft base and helps the dough come together later.

Third Step: Add the coffee flavors

Pour in the 20 milliliters liquid coffee and add the 5 grams coffee powder while mixing. Keep stirring until the coffee is evenly spread through the butter mixture. The dough should smell rich and warm already, with that familiar coffee-shop aroma that makes these cookies so tempting.

Fourth Step: Mix the dry ingredients

In another bowl, sift together the 120 grams flour and 20 grams cocoa powder. Sifting helps remove lumps and gives the final dough a smoother texture. It also blends the cocoa evenly, so the cookies bake with a consistent color.

Fifth Step: Form the dough

Add the sifted dry mixture to the butter and coffee mixture. Stir until the dough starts to come together, then knead it gently by hand into a compact dough. Do not overwork it. You want the dough to be soft but firm enough to shape. If it feels sticky, chill it briefly before moving on.

Sixth Step: Chill the dough

Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic, and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This rest time is important. It firms the butter, makes the dough easier to portion, and helps the cookies keep their coffee bean look during baking. If you are short on time, do not skip this step.

Seventh Step: Portion and shape the cookies

After chilling, divide the dough into 15-gram pieces. Shape each piece into an oval and then flatten it slightly so it looks like a coffee bean. Try to keep the size even so the biscuits bake at the same speed. Place each shaped piece on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.

Eighth Step: Add the coffee bean detail

Use a knife to cut a shallow S shape on top of each cookie. This little line gives the biscuits their signature coffee bean appearance. Then place the tray in the refrigerator for another 30 minutes. This second chill helps the cookies keep their shape in the oven.

Ninth Step: Bake the biscuits

Preheat a static oven to 170°C. Bake the cookies for about 20 minutes. If you are using a fan oven, set it to 150°C and bake for about 10 minutes. Watch closely near the end. The cookies should be set and lightly firm, but not too dark. Since the dough contains cocoa, the color may look deeper than a plain cookie, so rely on texture as well as color.

Tenth Step: Cool and serve

Remove the biscuits from the oven and let them cool on a rack. They will firm up more as they cool, so do not move them too soon. Once cool, serve them with coffee, tea, or milk. These cookies are lovely on their own, but they also shine as part of a dessert tray.

Recipe DetailAmount
Yield30 biscuits
Prep time15 minutes
Cooking time20 minutes
Chilling time2 hours 30 minutes
DifficultyEasy
CostLow
Biscotti Chicco Di Caffè Recipe: Crunchy Italian Coffee Bean Cookies 9

Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Biscotti Al Caffè A Forma Di Chicco Di Caffè

Protein and Main Component Alternatives

These cookies do not rely on eggs, so they are already friendly for many bakers who want a simpler dough. If you need a dairy-free version, swap the butter with a plant-based baking stick that is made for cookies. Choose one with a firm texture, since soft spreads can make the dough too loose.

For a gluten-free version, use a trusted gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Look for one with a binder, like xanthan gum, so the dough stays compact after chilling. If the dough feels dry, add a tiny splash more coffee, but only a little at a time.

Vegetable, Sauce, and Seasoning Modifications

Even though this is a sweet bake, you can still play with the flavor profile. Add a pinch of cinnamon for a warmer note, or mix in a little orange zest for a brighter finish. If you want a more dessert-like cookie, dust the cooled biscuits with powdered sugar before serving, just as the recipe tip suggests.

For people watching sugar intake, you can reduce the sugar slightly or pair the cookies with an unsweetened drink. Keep in mind that changing sweetness may also change the crispness and spread, so small changes work best.

Mastering Biscotti Al Caffè A Forma Di Chicco Di Caffè: Advanced Tips and Variations

Pro cooking techniques

Use soft butter, not melted butter. Soft butter creams better with sugar and gives the dough the right texture. If the dough becomes too warm while shaping, place it back in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes. That little pause can make shaping much easier.

When cutting the S shape, keep the knife shallow so you do not split the cookie. The goal is a gentle line that looks like a coffee bean seam. Also, try to keep all pieces close to the same size so they bake evenly.

Flavor variations

You can make the cookies slightly more intense by increasing the coffee note a touch, but keep changes small so the texture stays balanced. Another option is to add a pinch of vanilla for a rounder flavor. For a more classic Italian cookie feel, serve them alongside espresso or strong black coffee.

Presentation tips

Arrange the biscuits on a simple plate or in a small tin lined with parchment. Their bean shape already gives them a nice look, so you do not need much decoration. A light dusting of powdered sugar can make them look extra inviting, especially for holidays or gifts.

Make-ahead options

This recipe is very good for planning ahead. You can freeze the dough after shaping it into a ball, then thaw it in the fridge before portioning. You can also shape the biscuits, chill them on a tray, and bake them later the same day. That makes them a smart choice for busy parents, students, or anyone who wants fresh cookies without last-minute stress.

If you want a cookie that looks charming and tastes like a cozy coffee break, this recipe is a great one to keep in your baking rotation.

How to Store Biscotti Al Caffè A Forma Di Chicco Di Caffè: Best Practices

Store the cooled biscuits in a jar at room temperature for up to 1 week. Keep the jar tightly closed so the cookies stay crisp and do not pick up moisture. If your kitchen is warm, place the jar in the coolest dry spot you have.

For longer storage, freeze the dough for later use. Wrap it well in plastic and then place it in a freezer bag or container. When you are ready to bake, thaw it in the refrigerator before shaping and baking as usual.

These cookies do not really need reheating, but if they soften a little, you can place them in a low oven for a few minutes to bring back some crispness. Let them cool again before serving. They also work well for meal prep because the dough can be portioned ahead of time.

Biscotti Al Caffè A Forma Di Chicco Di Caffè
Biscotti Chicco Di Caffè Recipe: Crunchy Italian Coffee Bean Cookies 10

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Biscotti Al Caffè A Forma Di Chicco Di Caffè

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Biscotti Al Caffè A Forma Di Chicco Di Caffè

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☕ Dive into authentic Italian crunch with coffee-infused biscotti shaped like coffee beans – perfect coffee companion!
🍪 Low-effort baking yields addictive, twice-crunchy treats loaded with cocoa and espresso flavor.

  • Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 30 servings

Ingredients

– 230 grams soft butter

– 130 grams sugar

– 120 grams flour

– 20 grams cocoa powder

– 20 milliliters liquid coffee

– 5 grams coffee powder

Instructions

1-First Step: Make the coffee and prepare your workspace Start by preparing the liquid coffee first, since you need it ready before mixing. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set out a mixing bowl, a small bowl for dry ingredients, plastic wrap, and a knife for the signature bean shape. This kind of quick prep makes the whole process smoother, especially if you are baking with kids or during a busy weekday.

2-Second Step: Cream the butter and sugar Put the 230 grams soft butter and 130 grams sugar into a bowl. Mix them until creamy and smooth. The texture should look light and well blended, not grainy. This step gives the cookies their soft base and helps the dough come together later.

3-Third Step: Add the coffee flavors Pour in the 20 milliliters liquid coffee and add the 5 grams coffee powder while mixing. Keep stirring until the coffee is evenly spread through the butter mixture. The dough should smell rich and warm already, with that familiar coffee-shop aroma that makes these cookies so tempting.

4-Fourth Step: Mix the dry ingredients In another bowl, sift together the 120 grams flour and 20 grams cocoa powder. Sifting helps remove lumps and gives the final dough a smoother texture. It also blends the cocoa evenly, so the cookies bake with a consistent color.

5-Fifth Step: Form the dough Add the sifted dry mixture to the butter and coffee mixture. Stir until the dough starts to come together, then knead it gently by hand into a compact dough. Do not overwork it. You want the dough to be soft but firm enough to shape. If it feels sticky, chill it briefly before moving on.

6-Sixth Step: Chill the dough Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic, and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This rest time is important. It firms the butter, makes the dough easier to portion, and helps the cookies keep their coffee bean look during baking. If you are short on time, do not skip this step.

7-Seventh Step: Portion and shape the cookies After chilling, divide the dough into 15-gram pieces. Shape each piece into an oval and then flatten it slightly so it looks like a coffee bean. Try to keep the size even so the biscuits bake at the same speed. Place each shaped piece on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.

8-Eighth Step: Add the coffee bean detail Use a knife to cut a shallow S shape on top of each cookie. This little line gives the biscuits their signature coffee bean appearance. Then place the tray in the refrigerator for another 30 minutes. This second chill helps the cookies keep their shape in the oven.

9-Ninth Step: Bake the biscuits Preheat a static oven to 170°C. Bake the cookies for about 20 minutes. If you are using a fan oven, set it to 150°C and bake for about 10 minutes. Watch closely near the end. The cookies should be set and lightly firm, but not too dark. Since the dough contains cocoa, the color may look deeper than a plain cookie, so rely on texture as well as color.

10-Tenth Step: Cool and serve Remove the biscuits from the oven and let them cool on a rack. They will firm up more as they cool, so do not move them too soon. Once cool, serve them with coffee, tea, or milk. These cookies are lovely on their own, but they also shine as part of a dessert tray.

Last Step:

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Notes

🫙 Store in an airtight jar at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain crunch.
❄️ Freeze the dough ball for up to a month and bake fresh when needed.
🍬 Dust cooled biscotti with powdered sugar for an extra sweet, elegant touch.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Chill Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 77 kcal
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 1mg
  • Fat: 4g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 10g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 9mg

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