Figuring out whether biscotti is vegan can be a bit tough.
Biscotti is a baked good that may contain ingredients of animal origins.
To make sure you are only eating food that aligns with your vegan diet and ethics, I’ve investigated the ingredients of biscotti.
Here’s what I found.
Are Biscotti Cookies Vegan?
No. Classic biscotti cookies are not vegan friendly.
Biscotti is a type of Italian cookie that is often enjoyed with a cup of coffee. Their classic texture comes from being baked twice.
These delicious crunchy cookies generally contain eggs and butter, which disqualifies them from vegan status. Biscotti also often contains honey, another no-no for vegans. So, unless a recipe specifically states that it is vegan, you can assume that biscotti contains animal products.
If you want to enjoy this crunchy Italian cookie without compromising your vegan values, you’ll need to find a vegan biscotti recipe. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to make biscotti without using any animal products.
You can easily make vegan biscotti by swapping out the eggs and butter for plant-based alternatives. There are many amazing recipes online that use ingredients such as flaxseed meals or chia seeds to replace the eggs. As for the butter, you can use vegan margarine or coconut oil. With a few simple swaps, you can enjoy this delicious cookie without harming any animals.
Is Biscotti Cruelty Free?
Yes. You can consider biscotti to be a cruelty-free pastry.
They may include animal-derived ingredients, but the process of making biscotti does not involve any animal testing.
So, if you are vegan for ethical reasons, you can rest easy knowing that no animals were harmed in the making of your biscotti.
Of course, always check the labels of your ingredients to be sure they have not been tested on animals.
What Is Biscotti Made Of?
Here are the classic recipe ingredients of biscotti:
- Cold unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract or anise extract
- All-purpose flour
- White whole wheat flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Turbinado sugar (coarse sugar)
These ingredients can be added to give biscotti flavor and texture:
- Chocolate sauce
- Nuts (almond, pistachios, walnut, hazelnut, macadamia nuts)
- Chocolate chips
- Dried fruits (dried cherries, dried cranberries, apricots, raisins)
- Orange zest or lemon zest
Let’s break down each ingredient of Biscotti:
Cold unsalted butter
Unsalted butter is a type of butter that does not contain salt. It is made from the cream of cow’s milk. Unsalted butter is used as a spread, as an ingredient in baking, or to cook food. This ingredient is a milk derivative and is not vegan.
Granulated sugar
Granulated sugar is a type of sugar that has been ground into small particles. It is also sometimes called table sugar, white sugar, or “refined” sugar.
This ingredient is likely not vegan because most sugar is processed with bone char, made from ground-up animal bones. Unless the sugar packaging explicitly says “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it’s best to assume that granulated sugar is not vegan.
Eggs
Eggs are used in baking to add structure, leavening, and richness. Eggs are, of course, not vegan.
Vanilla extract
Vanilla extract is a type of flavoring that is made from vanilla beans. It is used to flavor food and drinks. It is vegan.
Almond extract or anise extract
Almond extract and anise extract are both types of flavoring that are used to flavor food and drinks. Almond extract is made from almonds, while anise extract is made from anise seeds. These products are vegan friendly.
All-purpose flour
All-purpose flour is a type of flour that can be used for many different purposes. All-purpose flour is often used in baking, as it can be combined with other ingredients to create a variety of textures and flavors. This product is vegan friendly.
White whole wheat flour
White whole wheat flour is a type of flour that is made from white wheat, which is milder in flavor than other types of wheat.
It has a lower gluten content than all-purpose flour and is often used in baking to create a lighter texture. This product is vegan friendly.
Baking powder
Baking powder is a type of leavening agent that is used to lighten the texture of baked goods. It is made from sodium bicarbonate, cream of tartar, and cornstarch. Baking powder is vegan friendly.
Salt
Salt is a type of seasoning that is used to add flavor to food. It is made from sodium chloride and is often used in baking to enhance the flavor of sweet foods. Salt is vegan friendly.
Turbinado sugar (coarse sugar)
Turbinado sugar is a type of sugar that has large crystals. It is made from cane sugar, has a color like brown sugar, and has a molasses flavor. Turbinado sugar is often used in baking to add flavor and texture. This sugar does not get filtered with bone char, making it vegan friendly.
Chocolate sauce
Chocolate sauce is a type of sauce that is used to flavor and decorate food. It is made from chocolate, milk, and sugar. Chocolate sauce is not vegan because it contains dairy.
Nuts (almond, pistachios, walnut, hazelnut, macadamia nuts)
Nuts are a type of food often used in baking. They are a good source of protein and fat. Nuts can be used whole, chopped, or ground. This product is vegan friendly because it comes from plants.
Chocolate chips
Chocolate, milk, or dark chocolate chips are a type of chocolate used to flavor and decorate food. They are made from sugar, cocoa butter, and milk. Chocolate chips are not vegan because they contain dairy.
Dried fruit (dried cherries, dried cranberries, apricots, raisins)
Dried fruit is a type of food often used in baking. It is made by removing the water from fresh fruit. This product is vegan friendly because it comes from plants.
Orange zest or lemon zest
This type of flavoring is made by removing the outermost layer of skin from an orange or lemon. In biscotti, orange or lemon zest is used to add flavor. Orange zest and lemon zest are vegan friendly because they come from plants.
Why Isn’t Biscotti Vegan?
Classic or traditional biscotti is not vegan because it contains eggs and sometimes dairy. It’s just how the recipe has been passed down for generations. However, there are vegan-friendly versions of biscotti that use plant-based ingredients.
If you are craving biscotti but are vegan, you can make your own at home using a recipe that uses plant-based ingredients.
Is Aunt Gussie’s No Sugar Added Cranberry-Orange Biscotti Vegan?
No. Aunt Gussie’s No Sugar Added Cranberry-Orange Biscotti with Almond is not vegan friendly. This product contains eggs and refined sugar.
This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Biscotti Brothers Chocolate Chunk Walnut Biscotti Vegan?
No. Biscotti Brothers Chocolate Chunk Walnut Biscottini cookies are not vegan friendly. They contain milk and eggs, which are animal-derived ingredients.
This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Ferrara Cantuccini Almond Biscotti Vegan?
No. Ferrara Cantuccini Biscotti Almond is not vegan friendly. This product contains egg, milk, and honey.
This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Trader Joe’s Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti Vegan?
No. Trader Joe’s Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti is not vegan friendly. This product contains milk and eggs as non-vegan ingredients.
This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Nonni’s Biscotti Cioccolati Vegan?
No. Nonni’s Biscotti Cioccolati is not vegan friendly. This product contains milk and eggs as non-vegan ingredients.
This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is La Dolce Vita Classic Italian Biscotti Vegan?
No. La Dolce Vita Classic Italian Biscotti is not vegan friendly. This product contains eggs, milk, and butter as non-vegan ingredients.
This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Alternative Vegan Recipes to Classic Biscotti
If you’re in the mood for vegan biscotti, there are plant-based recipes that you can try. These are some of my favorites:
- Vegan Biscotti with Almonds and Cranberries by Domestic Gothess
- Vanilla Almond Vegan Biscotti by Cook Nourish Bliss
- Vegan Italian Biscotti by Plant Based School
These vegan biscotti recipes are delicious and easy to follow. You can also experiment with other flavors and ingredients to come up with your own unique brand of vegan almond biscotti recipe.
Final Words
So, there you have it. The traditional biscotti is not vegan friendly because it contains eggs and milk. However, there are vegan-friendly versions of this classic cookie that use plant-based ingredients.
You can make your own vegan biscotti recipe at home with a few vegan ingredients and materials, such as a baking tray, baking sheet, an airtight container, and a bread knife.
Start your baking journey now and enjoy your delicious vegan biscotti with family and friends. Bon appetit!