Biscotti Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S ALMOND BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a mixing bowl.
• Place butter, 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, olive oil in a separate mixing bowl. Mix together thoroughly until mixture has a creamy texture. Add 1 egg; mix into butter/sugar mixture. Whisk in 2nd egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract; whisk until smooth. Add flour mixture. Mix until flour is incorporated. Add whole almonds and chopped almonds; mix in evenly. Cover bowl with plastic wrap; refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone mat.
• Divide dough in half. Place each half on a length of plastic wrap and shape into a log. Wrap with the plastic wrap and press into a shape about 3 or 4 inches wide and about 1/2 inch high. Transfer both pieces to prepared baking sheet leaving about 3 or 4 inches of space between them to allow for spreading.
• Bake in center of preheated oven until turning golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes before slicing.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Cut each piece at a slight angle into 1/2- to 1 -inch thick slices with a serrated knife. Transfer pieces back to baking sheet in a single layer. Bake 12 minutes; remove from oven and flip pieces over. Return pan to oven and bake until biscotti are golden brown and crunchy, about 20 minutes.
• Transfer biscotti to a cooling rack; let cool to room temperature.

ITALIAN BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F ( 165 degrees C ).
• In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add eggs one at a time; beat until fluffy. Stir in the anise and vanilla extracts. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; Add them to the egg mixture along with the chopped almonds. Stir with a spoon and as the dough comes together, Knead by hand.
• Divide the dough into 4 parts. Roll each piece into a log about 15 inches long. Place logs onto cookie sheets, 2 to a sheet, the long way. Flatten the logs out until they are about 3 inches wide with a slight hump going down the middle. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, loaves should be firm. Cut the loaves into diagonal slices 1/2 inch wide, place the slices onto the cookie sheets and return to the oven. Toast on one side, then turn them over to do the other side. This will take about 7 to 10 minutes.

BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, beat together the oil, eggs, sugar and anise flavoring until well blended. Combine the flour and baking powder, stir into the egg mixture to form a heavy dough. Divide dough into two pieces. Form each piece into a roll as long as your cookie sheet. Place roll onto the prepared cookie sheet, and press down to 1/2 inch thickness.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on a wire rack. When The cookies are cool enough to handle, slice each one crosswise into 1/2 inch slices. Place the slices cut side up back onto the baking sheet. Bake for an additional 6 to 10 minutes on each side. Slices should be lightly toasted.

CLASSIC BISCOTTI RECIPE - 4 WAYS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy.
• Add the eggs and vanilla extract. If you would like to add almond extract or anise extract, add it now. Mix until well combined.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt.
• Add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and mix on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a ball and then use your hands to shape each ball into a log that is about 8 inches long.
• Place the logs on the prepared baking sheet. Use your hands to flatten the dough logs until they are about 3/4-inch thick. Gently press the sides and ends of the logs to even them out and flatten them.
• If desired, sprinkle the logs with turbinado sugar.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden and the center of the logs is almost firm and bounces back when touched.
• Let the logs cool on the baking sheet for 30 minutes.
• Use a sharp knife to cut the logs into biscotti shape, on the diagonal. Press straight down with the knife, rather than sawing.
• Place the biscotti, cut side up, on the baking sheet. Bake for 12-16 more minutes, until dry. The centers of the cookies will be slightly soft and will crisp as they cool.
• Store biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy.
• Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, all purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt.
• Add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and mix on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Mix in the chocolate chips and nuts, if using.
• Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a ball and then use your hands to shape each ball into a log that is about 8 inches long.
• Place the logs on the prepared baking sheet. Use your hands to flatten the dough logs until they are about 3/4-inch thick. Gently press the sides and ends of the logs to even them out and flatten them.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden and the center of the logs is almost firm and bounces back when touched.
• Let the logs cool on the baking sheet for 30 minutes.
• Use a sharp knife to cut the logs into biscotti shape, on the diagonal. Press straight down with the knife, rather than sawing.
• Place the biscotti, cut side up, on the baking sheet. Bake for 12-16 more minutes, until dry. The centers of the cookies will be slightly soft and will crisp as they cool.
• Store biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy.
• Add the eggs, almond extract and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt.
• Add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and mix on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Stir in the chopped almonds.
• Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a ball and then use your hands to shape each ball into a log that is about 8 inches long.
• Place the logs on the prepared baking sheet. Use your hands to flatten the dough logs until they are about 3/4-inch thick. Gently press the sides and ends of the logs to even them out and flatten them.
• If desired, sprinkle the logs with turbinado sugar.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden and the center of the logs is almost firm and bounces back when touched.
• Let the logs cool on the baking sheet for 30 minutes.
• Use a sharp knife to cut the logs into biscotti shape, on the diagonal. Press straight down with the knife, rather than sawing.
• Place the biscotti, cut side up, on the baking sheet. Bake for 12-16 more minutes, until dry. The centers of the cookies will be slightly soft and will crisp as they cool.
• Store biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy.
• Add the eggs, vanilla extract and orange zest. Mix until well combined.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt.
• Add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and mix on low speed until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Mix in the dried cranberries.
• Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a ball and then use your hands to shape each ball into a log that is about 8 inches long.
• Place the logs on the prepared baking sheet. Use your hands to flatten the dough logs until they are about 3/4-inch thick. Gently press the sides and ends of the logs to even them out and flatten them.
• If desired, sprinkle the logs with turbinado sugar.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden and the center of the logs is almost firm and bounces back when touched.
• Let the logs cool on the baking sheet for 30 minutes.
• Use a sharp knife to cut the logs into biscotti shape, on the diagonal. Press straight down with the knife, rather than sawing.
• Place the biscotti, cut side up, on the baking sheet. Bake for 12-16 more minutes, until dry. The centers of the cookies will be slightly soft and will crisp as they cool.
• Store biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for 3 months.

ALMOND BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F/165° C. Position rack in the center.
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Spread almonds on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 12-15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt and sugars).
• In a large bowl, whisk eggs. Add olive oil, extracts, and zest. Whisk lightly together.
• When almonds are toasted, remove them from the oven and coarsely chop.
• Add flour mixture to egg mixture; stir with a wooden spoon until just incorporated.
• Fold in chopped almonds (make sure they have cooled off before incorporating in the batter).
• Use a large serving spoon to scoop out the dough and place it on the parchment-lined cookie sheet. Add another scoop adjacent to the batter on the cookie sheet and keep going until two logs are formed.With damp fingers, shape into a log shape.
• Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown in color and firm. Allow to cool slightly for about 10 minutes.
• Remove from baking sheet and transfer to a cutting board.
• Using a serrated knife, slice cookies at an angle about ½ - ¾ inch thick.
• Place slices back on the baking sheets and return them to the oven for about another 15-20 minutes (the longer they stay in the oven, the crispier they get). Turn them over at the halfway mark.
• Place on a wire rack to cool.

SPRING BISCOTTI

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, orange zest, and vanilla with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Mix in eggs and egg white one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually blend into the creamed mixture using a wooden spoon. Stir in the white chocolate, dried cranberries, and pistachios. Cover, and chill for 30 minutes, or until dough is no longer sticky.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Turn dough out on a lightly floured surface, and divide into halves. Form each half into a flattish log about 12 inches long by 3 inches wide. Arrange logs at least 3 inches apart on baking sheet.
• Bake for 30 minutes in preheated oven, or until pale gold. Allow logs to cool on the baking sheet until cool enough to handle. On a cutting board, cut logs crosswise on a diagonal into 1 inch thick slices. Arrange on baking sheet.
• Bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until golden. Transfer biscotti to wire racks, and cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Prepare the biscotti. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Spread the almonds and pistachios evenly on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Toast for about 30 minutes, until they are golden brown. You will be able to smell the nuts when they are ready. A good test is to break a nut in half and check to see if it is light brown on the inside. Toasting the nuts brings out their natural flavor. Remove them from the oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheet on a wire rack.
• Place the remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined, about 5 minutes; the mixture will hold together in a soft dough. Add the cooled toasted nuts and mix until they are evenly incorporated, about 1 minute. If you are using a hand-held mixer, you may want to knead in the nuts by hand to avoid burning out the motor of the mixer.
• Remove the dough from the mixing bowl and place on a very lightly floured work surface. If the dough is sticky and hard to work with, it is too soft. To fix this, flatten it into a disk, cover with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator for a minimum of 1 hour. (When the butter in the dough gets cold, the dough will stiffen.) Remove from the refrigerator and proceed.)
• Preheat the oven to 350��F (175°C). Divide the dough into three equal pieces. Use the palms of your hands to roll each piece on the lightly floured work surface into a rope 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Each rope should be even and fit on your baking sheet lengthwise. If the dough sticks to your hands or to the work surface as you are rolling it, dust it lightly with flour. Roll firmly to remove any trapped air bubbles. (At this stage, you can wrap the dough well in plastic wrap and freeze for up to two weeks. Bring it back to room temperature before baking.)
• Place two of the biscotti ropes on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet. You will only have room for two because they spread as they bake. With a pastry brush, lightly brush each rope with the egg white; this will add shine to the baked biscotti. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minues. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on the baking sheet.
• Use a serrated knife to slice the biscotti on a diagonal into 1/2-inch thick cookies. If you do this while the biscotti are still warm, they will not crumble. The biscotti will harden as they cool. If they are still soft when you slice them, place the slices on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F (150°C) for another 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat the baking and cooling procedure with the remaining biscotti rope.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for two to three weeks.