Coffee and Biscotti

Coffee and biscotti. Some combinations simply make sense. September 29 gives us the perfect excuse to enjoy both because it happens to be National Coffee Day and National Biscotti Day!

Biscotti are the classic twice-baked Italian cookies known for their crisp texture and absolutely perfect for dunking in your coffee cup. So why celebrate one when you can celebrate both?

Whether you’re craving a pumpkin spice latte, baking a batch of cranberry biscotti or planning an after-dinner espresso martini, we’ve got your coffee-and-cookie cravings covered. And yes, you probably need a great coffee mug for the occasion, too.

What you’ll find in this article about National Coffee Day and National Biscotti Day: Pumpkin Spice Latte | Cranberry Biscotti | Espresso Martini | Chocolate Biscotti | Great Pairings | Fun Mugs |

Check out our fun coffee mugs in this post: National Coffee Day is Brewing

Maybe you like a coffee that puts a little more pep in your step: Irish Coffee Day

What Is National Biscotti Day?

National Biscotti Day falls on September 29, right alongside National Coffee Day. Traditional biscotti originated in Italy and are baked twice. That second trip through the oven gives them their famously crisp texture. The word itself comes from the Latin biscoctus, meaning twice-baked. That crunchy texture isn’t just for show. Biscotti are traditionally dunked into a beverage to soften them. Coffee is one of the most popular choices outside Italy, making these two food holidays a perfect match.

Morning Coffee and Biscotti Pairing

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

This recipe is adapted from current pumpkin spice latte and pumpkin spice syrup recipes, including a recent homemade version published by Allrecipes.

It’s September, so we can’t talk about coffee without talking about pumpkin spice. Making a pumpkin spice latte at home is easier than you might think. You can use strong brewed coffee or espresso, warm milk, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice.

Makes: 1 latte

You’ll need:

• 1 cup strong brewed coffee or 2 shots espresso
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
• 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Whipped cream, optional
• Extra pumpkin pie spice for topping

Directions:

• Warm the milk, pumpkin puree, sweetener and pumpkin pie spice in a small saucepan.
• Whisk until hot and slightly frothy.
• Stir in the vanilla.
• Pour the mixture into your coffee or espresso and stir.
• Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

Cranberry Biscotti Recipe

Now we need something to dunk into that latte. Cranberry biscotti add a little tartness to the sweet, crunchy cookie. Pecans or almonds provide another layer of texture. The basic technique is classic biscotti: form the dough into a log, bake it, slice it diagonally and bake the slices again. Food Network’s cranberry pecan biscotti follows this traditional two-bake method.

Makes: About 20–24 biscotti

You’ll need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup chopped pecans or almonds
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• Pinch of salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

• Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
• In another bowl, lightly beat the eggs and vanilla.
• Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until a stiff dough forms.
• Fold in the cranberries, nuts and orange zest.
• Shape the dough into a long, flattened log on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Bake for about 25–30 minutes, until lightly golden.
• Let the log cool enough to handle.
• Using a serrated knife, cut it diagonally into slices.
• Place the slices cut-side down on the baking sheet.
• Bake for another 10–15 minutes, turning once, until crisp.
• Cool completely before serving.
• Pro tip: Don’t skip the second bake. That’s what gives biscotti their signature crunch.

Evening Coffee and Biscotti Pairing

Espresso Martini Recipe

For an adults-only dessert, turn everyone’s favorite after-dinner coffee cocktail into a chocolatey treat. This chocolate espresso martini recipe is inspired by Food Network’s chocolate-espresso martini, which combines chilled espresso, coffee liqueur and vanilla vodka with a chocolate-rimmed glass.

Makes: 1 cocktail

You’ll need:

• 1½ ounces vodka
• 1 ounce coffee liqueur
• 1 ounce chilled espresso
• ½ ounce chocolate liqueur
• Ice
• Melted chocolate for the rim
• Cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for garnish

Directions:

• Dip the rim of a chilled martini glass into melted chocolate.
• Let it set while you prepare the drink.
• Add vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and chocolate liqueur to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
• Shake vigorously until cold and frothy.
• Strain into the prepared glass.
• Finish with a few chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa.
• Serve immediately.

Please enjoy responsibly. This recipe is for adults of legal drinking age.

Chocolate Espresso Biscotti

Because one biscotti recipe simply isn’t enough on National Biscotti Day. For something a little more decadent, try chocolate biscotti with espresso. Espresso powder intensifies the chocolate flavor while adding a subtle coffee kick. Food Network’s espresso chocolate chip biscotti uses espresso powder and dark chocolate chunks, while BBC Good Food pairs espresso with dark chocolate in another version.

Makes: About 20–24 biscotti

You’ll need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ⅔ cup sugar
• 1½ tablespoons espresso powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips or chunks
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 ounces melted dark chocolate for dipping

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Combine the flour, sugar, espresso powder, baking soda and salt.
• Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Add the eggs and vanilla.
• Mix until a stiff dough forms.
• Shape the dough into a long, flat log on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Bake for about 30–35 minutes.
• Cool for about 10 minutes.
• Using a serrated knife, cut the log diagonally into slices.
• Return the slices to the oven and bake until crisp, turning once.
• Cool completely.
• Dip one end of each biscotti into melted dark chocolate.
• Place them on parchment paper until the chocolate sets.
• For an extra-fancy finish, sprinkle the chocolate with chopped pistachios, flaky sea salt or espresso powder.

10 More Perfect Coffee and Biscotti Pairings

Which biscotti should you dunk into which coffee? Try these combinations:

• Caramel latte + almond biscotti: The buttery almond flavor pairs beautifully with sweet caramel and creamy coffee.
• Vanilla cold brew + white chocolate cranberry biscotti: Cool, creamy and fruity, this would be especially good on a warm September afternoon.
• Cappuccino + hazelnut chocolate biscotti: The toasted hazelnut and chocolate complement the rich espresso and foamy milk.
• Maple coffee + pecan biscotti: This is basically autumn in a cup and a cookie.
• Mocha + orange chocolate biscotti: Chocolate and orange are a classic combination, and espresso makes both flavors pop.
• Iced caramel coffee + cinnamon biscotti: The caramel brings sweetness while the cinnamon adds a warm, spicy finish.
• Espresso + pistachio biscotti: The slightly salty, nutty pistachios provide a wonderful contrast to intense espresso.
• Chai latte + ginger biscotti: Technically we’re sneaking another spice into the coffee celebration, but the combination is too good to leave out.
• Coconut iced coffee + macadamia nut biscotti: A tropical twist that feels completely different from the traditional coffee-and-cookie pairing.
• Irish coffee + dark chocolate biscotti: Rich coffee, whiskey and bittersweet chocolate make this a particularly indulgent after-dinner combination.

Celebrate With a Great Mug

There is one final ingredient every coffee-and-biscotti celebration needs. A really good mug. Your coffee mug can be practical. It can be pretty. It can be colorful. Or it can make you laugh before you’ve had your first sip. At Green Carbon 2112, I have plenty of colorful and fun designs that can turn your morning coffee into a little more of an occasion.

Happy National Coffee and Biscotti Day!

September 29 may technically be two different food holidays. But we’re perfectly happy treating them as one. Bake the biscotti. Brew the coffee. Make the pumpkin spice latte. Save the chocolate espresso martini for dessert. And don’t forget to dunk and savor that melt in your mouth goodness.