Cranberry Orange Biscotti with Sourdough Discard


Christmas High Altitude Sourdough | Published December 7, 2023 by Mimi Council

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A delightful, zesty orange cookie filled with tart cranberries and dipped in creamy white chocolate. This recipe for Cranberry Orange Biscotti with Sourdough Discard takes your traditional cranberry orange flavor profile to the next level with the addition of sourdough discard for a slightly tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with this classic combo.

If you are looking for more biscotti recipes, check out some of my other favorites like my Chocolate Malt Biscotti, Kamut Flour Biscotti, or my Glazed Oatmeal Raisin Biscotti.

cranberry orange biscotti with sourdough discard
cranberry orange biscotti with sourdough discard

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This is another collab with my friend Make It Dough. Hannah and I started collaborating a year ago and we put our heads together and work on a recipe together each month. It’s incredibly fun to collaborate with someone who’s as passionate about baking as you are. And it brings you guys amazing recipes!

Hannah has inspired me to bake more with sourdough. I joke with her that I keep my sourdough starter in the fridge simply to use sourdough discard in recipes, haha! I love using sourdough discard in recipes as it eliminates food waste, which is something I’m very passionate about. Not only that, but it provides such an interesting flavor and it’s a great substitute for eggs!

This Cranberry Orange Biscotti with Sourdough Discard is a take on the classic holiday combination of cranberry and orange. The slightly tangy flavor of the sourdough discard really melds incredibly well with the tart cranberries and the sweet and zesty orange. I dip or drizzle these in white chocolate for the perfect holiday biscotti!

cranberry orange biscotti with sourdough discard

Ingredients

Organic Valley Salted Butter

Wholesome Organic Cane Sugar

Frontier Co-Op Organic Orange Flavor

Organic Valley Large Eggs

Organic Sourdough Discard

Cairnspring Mills Organic All Purpose Flour (use code MIMIORGANIC15 for 15% off your order!)

Frontier Co-Op Baking Powder

Frontier Co-Op Fine Sea Salt

Food to Live Organic Dried Cranberries

Organic White Chocolate

Costco Kirkland Organic Coconut Oil

Organic Orange

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Tools Needed

Digital Food Scale

Stand Mixer

Baking Sheet Half Sheet Pan (use code MIMIBAKES for 10% off my favorite stainless steel sustainable bakeware!)

Parchment Paper (get my favorite nontoxic parchment paper and get 10% off with MIMIBAKES)

cranberry orange biscotti with sourdough discard

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Step 2

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter, cane sugar, and orange flavor and mix on low until combined and there are no chunks of butter.

Add in the sourdough discard, egg, flour, baking powder, sea salt, and orange zest in that order. Mix on low until a stiff dough forms. Add in the cranberries and mix to combine or fold in with a spatula. 

Step 3

Using your hands form a large log out of the cookie dough and flatten slightly so it’s about 1-inch thick, it should be about 12 x 3 inches. Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of cane sugar on top of the log.

Step 4

Bake for 40 minutes or until the middle looks set, but not completely done. Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes. Trim off the edges, then slice into 12 pieces and bake again for 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet. (If you're baking at high altitude, be sure to check the Notes at the bottom of the recipe for high altitude baking instructions).

Step 5

Melt the white chocolate and coconut oil, either using a double boiler, or in a microwave safe bowl doing 30 second intervals and stirring between each one to prevent burning. 

Dip biscotti in white chocolate or drizzle it on top!

cranberry orange biscotti with sourdough discard

Baker's Tips

  • Make sure your butter is soft! Butter is best left out at room temperature to soften naturally. If you must microwave it, only do 10 second intervals per 1/2 cup, even if you need to do 2 intervals. This will prevent portions of the butter from melting completely.
  • I use Frontier Co-Op Organic Orange Flavor. But, if you only have orange extract, you can use that as well, but use half the amount as extract is more potent than flavors. So, for this recipe, use 1 teaspoon orange extract if substituting extract.
  • Your sourdough discard can be used straight from the fridge. When you feed your starter and you discard part of the mixture, that’s what we’re using here. So instead of throwing it out, it’s not being wasted and you have beautiful and delicious biscotti!
  • Most biscotti recipes will call to use a serrated knife to cut the biscotti. But I find that using a chef’s knife is a lot easier and it results in cleaner cuts.
  • No need to flip biscotti on their sides for the second bake. I know many recipes call for that, but no need, just leave them up right. Just be sure to leave space between each one so they can bake evenly on the second bake.
  • You can half dip the biscotti, dip the entire side, or just drizzle it with white chocolate. Whatever you choose to do! I like to do a mix so that there’s different looking ones, but also in case someone prefers more or less white chocolate.
cranberry orange biscotti with sourdough discard

FAQ's

What is biscotti?

Biscotti is a deliciously crisp and buttery twice baked cookie. Because it is twice baked and crispy, it makes a delicious dipping vessel for all the cozy drinks during the holiday season!

What if I don't have sourdough discard?

Don't worry, you can still make this recipe if you don't have sourdough discard! Simply use a a 1 to 1 ratio of all purpose flour to water and use that in its place. So, for this recipe, mix together 28 grams all purpose flour and 28 grams water, which will give you the 57 grams needed to replace the sourdough discard.

Can I use different add ins?

Yes, if you want to use different add ins besides dried cranberries you can do that. Other options that would be delicious in this recipe would be dried blueberries, almonds, walnuts, or dried apricots.

What can I replace the orange flavor with?

If you don't have orange flavor you can replace this with lemon flavor or lemon extract as well. You could also use almond extract and of course just vanilla. You will get a completely different flavored biscotti, but it will still be tasty!

cranberry orange biscotti with sourdough discard

Craving More?

cranberry orange biscotti with sourdough discard

Cranberry Orange Biscotti with Sourdough Discard

Mimi Council
Delightful and zesty, this Cranberry Orange Biscotti with Sourdough Discard makes for a delicious addition to any holiday cookie box! Or it's just as tasty with a warm cup of tea.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Makes 12 biscotti
Calories 369 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Dough

Topping

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter, cane sugar, and orange flavor and mix on low until combined and there are no chunks of butter.
  • Add in the sourdough discard, egg, flour, baking powder, sea salt, and orange zest in that order. Mix on low until a stiff dough forms. Add in the cranberries and mix to combine or fold in with a spatula.
  • Using your hands form a large log out of the cookie dough and flatten slightly so it’s about 1-inch thick, it should be about 12 x 3 inches. Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of cane sugar on top of the log.
  • Bake for 40 minutes or until the middle looks set, but not completely done. Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes. Trim off the edges, then slice into 12 pieces and bake again for 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet.
  • Melt the white chocolate and coconut oil, either using a double boiler, or in a microwave safe bowl doing 30 second intervals and stirring between each one to prevent burning.
  • Dip biscotti in white chocolate or drizzle it on top!
  • Store in a cool dry place for up to 7 days.

Notes

High Altitude – Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes or until the middle looks set but not completely done, then remove and let rest for 15 minutes. Cut as instructed and bake again for 15 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 369kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 4gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 238mgPotassium: 111mgFiber: 2gSugar: 39gVitamin A: 285IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 1mg
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