This Cranberry Orange Cornmeal Biscotti with Pecans is the perfect complement for your morning cup of tea or coffee. This crisp cookie studded with pecans and cranberries is sure to become a fall favorite!
Wow, talk about another weekend of horrible weather! I’m not going to complain about it though because the rain that came my way was nothing compared to the devastation many other people experienced. My heart goes out to everyone who is suffering. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
In a few weeks I’ll be heading to good old sunny Florida to spend some quality time with my mom. I’m really looking forward to it. I haven’t seen my mom since I flew back to Florida with her at the end of the summer. I know she’s always excited to see me, but honestly I think she may be even more excited about what I bring her every time I come to visit. I never show up empty-handed. My suitcase is always packed with her favorite, biscotti.
I usually pick some up from a fabulous bread company in town, and she totally loves it. But over the past few weeks I’ve been working on perfecting this Cranberry Orange Cornmeal Biscotti with Pecans, and it’s a total winner. Talk about the perfect complement to your morning cup of tea of coffee!
I decided to add some cornmeal to give this cookie more of a crumbly texture, and I also opted for pecans for some crunch. I experimented with walnuts and pistachios which were equally as delicious, so you decide. And for a bit of chewiness, I added one of my fall favorites, cranberries. Last, but certainly not least, a little orange zest for the win.
Mom is going to love this biscotti. I hope you enjoy it too! Have a wonderful week!
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal I use Indian Head Yellow Cornmeal
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 2 tsp. freshly grated orange zest
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
- 1 large egg white beaten with 1 tsp. water
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in middle of oven. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
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In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, honey and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the cooled butter and orange zest and mix until well combined.
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Add all the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Then stir in the cranberries and pecans.
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Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet and shape the dough into a log with lightly floured hands that is roughly 15 inches long by 3 inches wide. Brush top and sides with egg wash.
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Bake for 30 minutes until golden and slightly cracked on top.
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Let cool slightly, about 15 minutes.
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Using a sharp serrated knife, slice the log on the diagonal into 1/2 inch thick slices. Carefully lay the slices on the baking sheet, cut side down and bake for an additional 16-18 minutes or until they begin to brown, flipping the cookies halfway through.
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Let cookies cool on sheet on wire rack completely.
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Cookies can be stored for up to 2 weeks in airtight container.
I’ve only made biscotti once before. It looks like I’ll be making another batch soon because these sound fabulous :) Hope you have a great time in Florida!
You should definitely give these a try Megan! Perfect with morning tea or coffee or as an afternoon treat! Have a wonderful week!
Your biscotti looks like perfection Mary Ann! Love the addition of cornmeal. And anything with cranberries is a winner in my book. Just gorgeous!
Thanks so much Alida! I love cranberries too! Hope your week is off to a great start! XO
I could do with one of these on a Monday morning ! They look delicious!
They’re perfect for a Monday morning Fiona! Thanks! Have a great week!
These look perfect Mary Ann! Wishing I had some with my morning coffee.
Thanks Matt! I love these with my coffee!!
This looks so good Mary Ann and what a sweet treat to take to your mom!! I’m so happy for all of the awesome attention you’ve been getting this past week…so well deserved. Your photography, delicious recipes and warm tone are all so inviting!! Wishing you safe travel!! xoxo
Thanks so much Rebecca! I can’t tell you how much that means coming from you! I’ve been on cloud nine the last few days! You know how much work goes into this gig as a food blogger, so when your work is appreciated it makes it all worthwhile. Plus this week happens to be my birthday, so no better present. Hope you have a wonderful week!XO
I’ve never made biscotti, Mary Ann – but you make it look easy. Love the orange, cranberry and pecan flavoring. I spent time with my mom in September and it’s the best – I hope you guys have a wonderful time.
Thanks Geraldine! My mom loves her biscotti! I think if I’d show up without some, she’d send me packing. She’ll call me a few times before I leave to make sure I’ve got some! Have a great week!
The weather here was AWFUL on Saturday, and we did lose power for a few hours, but thankfully no trees fell on our house (although my in-laws down the road weren’t so lucky). So I can’t really complain! Glad you guys were safe! These biscotti look amazing, Mary Ann!! I love the cranberry and orange combo in here! Oh and that cornmeal! My MIL just gifted me some fresh cornmeal she bought at the local market, so now I KNOW what I will be making with it!! Wahoo! Pinned! Cheers, friend!
P.S. This will be a fabulous gift for your mother!
So glad you stayed safe Chey! My mom is going to love this biscotti! It’s funny because growing up, I never saw her eat sweets, but now that she’s older she loves them! Sometimes I have a hard time trying to convince her to eat real meals instead of sweets! I guess when your almost 85 though, you can make your own rules! Ha!
OK, now these biscotti are wonderful. Cornmeal and pecans, what a wonderful combination of flavors and add the sweet tart cranberry and I’m in. Lucky mom! Thanks Mary Ann. :)
Thanks Kevin! Hope you enjoy them if you give them a try!
Orange, cornmeal, and cranberries are the most wonderful fall combo and I love how your turned it into biscotti. They look perfect, Mary Anne. I love slow mornings with a warm and cozy cup with biscotti for dunking. Have a wonderful trip to Florida visiting you mom!
Thanks so much Emily! I love this combo too! Hope you have a great week! Hope all is well with the kids!
These look beautiful! I love the combination of cranberry and orange. The cornmeal sounds interesting. Does it add flavor too? or just texture! Enjoy your visit with your mother. :)
Thanks Kathy! Yes, there is definitely a difference in flavor when adding the cornmeal. Hope you enjoy if you try!
Sounds so fun to spend time with your mom in Florida! Hubby loves anything cranberry and orange so I’ll have to make these for him. Hope you are having a great birthday week.
I can’t wait to see her Karen! I love anything cranberry orange too. Scones are another favorite in that flavor combo! Thanks so much for the birthday wishes!
Interesting, I’ve made cranberry orange biscotti before but never with cornmeal. I bet it adds a nice flavour dimension. I sense these might make it to my Christmas baking list.
Yay! I love making biscotti as gifts for Christmas Matt! I’d love getting it as a gift even more! Ha!
It’s been too long since I made homemade biscotti. . your Cranberry Orange Cornmeal Biscotti is gorgeous!!! I’d love this with my morning coffee!
Thanks so much Alice! The cranberry orange combo is always a favorite! Perfect with coffee or tea!
Happy late Birthday Mary Ann, I hope you had a great one. Wishing you all the success you deserve with this beautiful blog. Those biscottis look fabulous and I am sure your mother will love them.
You’re not late Gerlinde. It’s actually this Thursday. I usually don’t like to draw attention to it at my age! Ha!! Thank you so much for the birthday wishes and for following the blog! Hope your week is wonderful!
Oh yes please! Love biscotti and cranberry/orange is such a perfect combination. I’ve never tried them with cornmeal but I imagine it’s wonderful for flavour and texture.
It is Jennifer! You should definitely give this one a try!
Your mom is one lucky lady! The cornmeal, pecans, cranberries, and that orange zest are such a delicious combination. I can imagine how good these are with a hot cup of coffee! <3
She’d send me packing if I showed up empty-handed Tessa! Ha!! She loves her biscotti! They’re perfect as a little breakfast treat!
We make biscotti every year at the holidays and this year I’m totally trying out this cornmeal thing, so intrigued!
Hope you enjoy Gina. This biscotti is perfect for Christmas gifts!
I can understand why your mom loves biscotti, especially when it is packed with all these goodies. I love adding zest of an orange or lemon to baked goods….a little goes a long way! Great idea adding texture with the cornmeal too. These would be so perfect this morning as I’m drinking my tea. If only I could grab a piece or two from my screen ;) Pinned, of course. Have a wonderful week! xo
I love adding lemon or orange zest to my baked goods too Dawn. It gives whatever I’m making such a fresh taste. Wish you could grab a piece too!
This would go PERFECTLY with my PSL I had this morning <3
Yes, perfect! Hope your week is going well! XO
Orange zest for the win! I couldn’t agree more! This is a favorite in our house! It reminds me of many relaxing mornings I’ve shared with hubby over a pot of coffee and the newspaper! Thank you!
Yes, I love the orange zest too Annie! I love freezing a few, so I can pop one out whenever I have a craving!
Lucky Mom! And I love that you added cornmeal for texture. Perfect breakfast if you ask me!
Nothing comes between my Mom and her biscotti! Not even me!
This biscotti looks like pure perfection! I’m sure your mom love it.
Thanks Nicole! I’m hoping so!
Oh my goodness! Can you bring me some of these delicious biscotti on the way to Florida? We’re on the way! I’m sure your mom will love these! Pinned!
Ha! I hope you’re right! Thanks for pinning Rachelle!
I love your addition of cornmeal in this crunchy biscotti, Mary Ann! It adds such a delicious dimension to baked food and I know your mom will love it! AND….. Happy Birthday my dear! I’m certain the weather will be better in Florida! Have fun! xo
It really does Traci! I know she’s going to love these! Thanks so much for the birthday wishes! At my age, I like to fly under the radar on my bday!
I adore biscotti with my afternoon coffee or tea. These look simply perfect!
They’re my Mom’s all time favorite Laura! Mine too actually.
They will be my first choice for my Saturday morning. I believe It will make my day beauty. Thank you so much for sharing a lovely recipe.
Awesome Sabrina! Hope you enjoy!