Orange and Almond Biscotti

Ingredients
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 salt
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 tsp. almond extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup slivered almonds, chopped
2 Tbsp. orange zest

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.

Mix the dry ingredients together with a whisk and set aside. Beat the butter and sugar together, with an electric mixer, until light and smooth. Then add one egg at a time. Add the almond and vanilla extract until well combined. Using a large wooden spoon, mix in the almonds and orange zest. Add the dry ingredients and mix by hand until just combined.

Take the dough out of the bowl and divide it in half, placing each half on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roll into logs that are about 13x2" long. With floured hands, pat them down to smooth.

Bake on the middle rack of the oven for about 35 minutes until the loaves are golden and just starting to crack on top. Remove the loaves from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 325°F.

Cut each loaf diagonally into slices with a serrated knife and lay them cut side up on the cookie sheet. Bake for 7 minutes, then flip each slice and bake for another 7 minutes.

Biscotti should be crispy and golden brown now. Let them cool completely and then enjoy.

biscotti are exceptionally good when eaten the same day they are baked, although they will keep for at least two weeks when stored in an airtight container.

via qkatie

Cranberry and Pistachio Biscotti

Ingredients
3/4 cup Sugar In The Raw
1/4 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 cup chopped pistachios
1/2 cup dried cranberries (or dried cherries)

Instructions
In a small bowl, beat sugar and oil until blended. Beat in eggs then extracts. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to sugar mixture and mix well (dough will be stiff). Stir in pistachios and cranberries.

Divide dough in half. With floured hands, shape each half into a 12"x2" rectangle on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes or until set.

Place pan on wire rack. When cool enough to handle, transfer to a cutting board; cut diagonally with a serrated knife into 3/4" slices. Place cut side down on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until firm. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container.

via Taste of Home

6th Day of Christmas Cookies

 

Holiday Biscotti

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentis

Prep Time: 15 min

Inactive Prep Time: 30 min

Cook Time: 55 min

Level: ~

Serves: Makes about 2 dozen

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup pistachios, coarsely chopped
• 2/3 cup dried cranberries
• 12 ounces good-quality white chocolate, chopped
• Red and green sugar crystals, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a heavy large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Whisk the flour and baking powder in a medium bowl to blend. Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar, butter, lemon zest, and salt in a large bowl to blend. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time. Add the flour mixture and beat just until blended. Stir in the pistachios and cranberries.

Form the dough into a 13-inch-long, 3-inch-wide log on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until light golden, about 40 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes.

Place the log on the cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the log on a diagonal into 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange the biscotti cut side down on the baking sheet. Bake the biscotti until they are pale golden, about 20 minutes. Transfer the biscotti to a rack and cool completely.

Stir the chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water until the chocolate melts. Dip half of the biscotti into the melted chocolate. Gently shake off the excess chocolate. Place the biscotti on the baking sheet for the chocolate to set. Sprinkle with the sugar crystals. Refrigerate until the chocolate is firm, about 35 minutes.

As you dip the biscotti into the melted chocolate, you can also dip them into crushed pistachios if you like.

The biscotti can be made ahead. Store them in an airtight container up to 4 days, or wrap them in foil and freeze in re-sealable plastic bags up to 3 weeks.

via foodnetwork.com