Biscotti
What is Biscotti
Biscotti is a cookie that is made by baking a loaf, then cutting the cooled cake into slices and rebake the slices into cookies. These cookies are easy to make but take a bit longer in preparation from beginning to end. The wait is well worth the extra steps.
These cookies can be made all year long. All you add is your favorite flavoring whether it's plain vanilla or Christmas anise the cookies are a bit crunchier than most. They are the original Italian cookie used for dunking in coffee. I'm giving you the basic recipe. You can add your favorite extract for the flavoring. Just remember if you use flavor oils instead of extract to cut back on the amount you add to the recipe.
What is your favorite Biscotti Flavor?
Ingredients and Baking Instructions
- 3/4 cups of softened butter or margarine
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 teaspoons extract flavoring (vanilla, lemon, orange, anise and almond are my favorites)
- 3-1/4 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Be sure to beat well after each egg. Add extract. Combine the dry ingredients. Gradually add to butter and sugar. Blend well. Dough is stiff.
Cut the dough in half. Shape each half into a rectangle on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes until browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Cut each log into 1/2 inch slides. Place cut side down on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks.
Added Tips and Variations
Adding nuts to the mixture gives the biscotti added flavor. I prefer sliced almonds along with almond flavoring.
These cookies can be made plain or dressed up for special occasions such as Christmas by drizzling some melted chocolate over them as an added treat.
For the Christmas Holiday, I ground up some peppermint sticks and added them to the mix for the flavoring and as a part of the sugar content.
For holidays, you can dip the cooled biscotti in melted chocolate and let dry on waxed paper
If you drizzle with melted chocolate, you can sprinkle crushed nuts or candies.
Ice the Tops and sprinkle with candies for special colors or occasions.
