Is Biscotti Vegan and Cruelty Free? (April, 2024 Update)

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.

Table of Contents

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.