Sicilian Orange Nut Biscotti Recipes

PISTACHIO BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Lay the pistachios on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes or until the nuts are lightly toasted. Remove from the oven.
• In an electric mixer, beat the butter until light and fluffy. With the mixer running, gradually add the eggs, sugar, and vanilla; mix until creamed. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix the dough until smooth. Using a wooden spoon, mix in the pistachios until evenly distributed.
• Put the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut in half. Roll each half into a log, each 12 inches long by 1-inch high. Place the logs on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 35 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly brown. Let the logs cool for 5 minutes and then place on a cutting board. Slice each log on a diagonal into 12 1-inch thick pieces. Put the cookies back on the cookie sheet and bake 5 minutes. Turn the cookies over and bake the other side for another 5 minutes. Store cookies in an airtight container.

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN ANISE BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C). Position rack in the center.
• Grease and flour (or use non-stick spray) three 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pans.
• In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, or bowl of electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment beat the eggs on medium speed until light and frothy (about 2-3 minutes).
• Add the sugar gradually and whisk for another minute or so.
• Add the oil and extracts. Whisk for another minute.
• Incorporate the flour mixture. Mix until combined.
• Pour mixture in the 3 prepared loaf pans.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until firm to the touch
• Remove from loaf pans and let cool for a few minutes.
• Transfer to cutting board.
• Using a serrated knife, slice cookies about 1/4 inch thick (or thicker).
• Place slices flat down on parchment lined baking sheets, and bake for about another 5-8 minutes or longer, depending on your personnel preference and your oven (the longer they stay in the oven, the crispier they get). Make sure to turn the slices over to ensure even toasting.
• Can be stored at room temperature for a few weeks...if they last that long.

ORANGE ALMOND BISCOTTI II

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a baking sheet.
• In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, almonds, and orange zest. Make a well in the center and add the eggs oil, and almond extract. Stir or mix by hand until the mixture forms a ball.
• Separate dough into 2 pieces and roll each one into a log about 8 inches long. Place logs on prepared baking sheet and flatten so they are about 3/4 inch thick. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool slightly, and remove from baking sheets. Slice diagonally into 1/2 inch slices with a serrated knife. Set cookies on side back onto the cookie sheet and bake for 10 to 15 more minutes, turning over after half of the time. Finished cookies should be hard and crunchy.

CRANBERRY-ORANGE BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Beat butter and sugar together in a bowl until mixture is creamy. Beat in eggs, orange zest, orange extract, and almond extract.
• Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl; mix dry ingredients into moist ingredients to make a stiff dough. Mix sweetened cranberries into dough. Form dough into a ball, cut into halves, and shape each half into a log. Place logs onto prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Let logs cool completely on wire racks.
• Cut logs into slices on a slight diagonal and lay the slices on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake biscotti until crisp and lightly golden brown, about 7 minutes.

ORANGE BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Toast the almonds until golden brown.
• Let almonds cool, then chop into 1/4 inch pieces.
• Set oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Cream the butter and sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat in the eggs until smooth. Zest the orange, add to mixture and stir well. Add the orange-flavored liqueur and cinnamon. Mix in the flour, baking powder and salt. Beat until just mixed. Stir in the chopped almonds. Divide the dough in half on a lightly floured board and form into long rolls, about 2 inches in diameter and 10 inches long.
• Set the rolls on a cookie sheet and bake for about 25 minutes, or until they are brown on top.
• Let the rolls cool for 5 minutes, then slice diagonally 1/2 inch thick.
• Lay slices back flat on cookie sheet and cook for another 10 minutes. Flip biscotti over and cook for another 10 minutes. Let cool on wire racks. If you keep these in an airtight container, they will keep for months.

TRIPLE NUT BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• On a plain cookie sheet place the nuts (break up the walnuts into smaller pieces) in a single layer and roast for 5-8 minutes. Remove from pan and place in a small bowl, let cool.
• In a large bowl beat 2 eggs and the sugar for 1 minute, then add the flour, salt, baking powder, honey, vanilla and zest, with the dough hook attachment mix the dough, when almost combined stir in the nuts.
• Move the dough to a lightly floured flat surface and gently knead into a soft dough.
• Divide into 3 parts and form into 3 logs. Approximately 8-10 inches (20-25cm) long, place on prepared cookie sheet and brush with beaten egg, bake for approximately 20 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and cut each log into 1/4 inch slices on the diagonal, place cut side up on the cookie sheet and bake again for approximately 5-10 minutes or until dry. Let cool completely before serving. Enjoy!

SICILIAN ORANGE-NUT BISCOTTI

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine 1-1/4 c. flour, 1/2 c. sugar, 1/2 t. baking soda and a pinch of salt. In a smaller bowl, whisk together 2 medium eggs, 2 T. orange peel (or 1/2 t. orange oil), 1/2 t real vanilla and 1/2 t. anise seed. Stir this mixture into dry ingredients. Add 1 c. toasted, chopped hazelnuts and mix well. Divide dough in halves or thirds. Shape into logs on a well-floured surface. Transfer to a baking sheet that is lined with parchment or sprayed with Pam. Bake in a 300 deg. preheated oven for 20 minutes. Logs should be firm and very lightly browned. Cool at least 5 minutes, cut into 3/4" diagonal slices and return to oven, baking an additional 15 minutes. Cool on rack.

BISCOTTI REGINA - SICILIAN SESAME SEED COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl stir together all-purpose flour; sugar; ammonium carbonate (or baking powder) and salt.
• Add cold cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles a coarse meal.
• Make a well in the center and add an egg, freshly grated orange zest and 3 tbsp. of milk. Stir together to form a dough. If the mixture is dry add an extra tbsp. of milk, as needed, to form a slightly tacky dough.
• Shape into a round dough, flatten into a disc and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Prepare 2 baking sheets and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a small bowl filled with water; place sesame seeds in a second bowl.
• Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Work with one piece of dough at a time keeping the rest wrapped. Roll into a long rope about the width of your thumb. Cut into 5 cm lengths.
• Moisten each cut piece of dough lightly with water with your fingers and roll in the sesame seeds to coat all sides.
• Place an inch apart on the prepared baking sheets as they will expand during baking. Continue with the remaining dough.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool before serving.