Great Biscotti Recipes That Are Easy Too

In the United States we describe Biscotti as a long, dry, twice baked cookie great for dipping into coffee, hot chocolate or even wine. It has a mellow flavor and normally is filled with nuts.

The name Biscotti comes from the Italian word "bis" meaning twice and "cotto" meaning baked or cooked. Outside of the US the Biscotti is also known as Biscotti di Prato, Bizcochos and contucci.

The Biscotti originated in Italy's wine country. It was crisp and hard, was full of almonds and enjoyed by dipping the Biscotti into a glass of wine. Most often the Biscotti has been almond flavored but with the popularity of coffee houses and the variety of coffees available, so to the Biscotti has evolved with many flavors and many different kinds of nuts.

Having your friends over for coffee? Maybe it is your turn to have the class reunion committee meeting or the weekly bible study group is getting together at your house this week.... Whatever the event this Biscotti recipe will be sure to please. It is easy to make, it doesn't take a lot of ingredients or much of your time.

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour, plus extra for dusting

1 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs, lightly beaten

finely grated rind of 1 orange

2/3 cup whole blanched almonds, toasted

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F., lightly dust a large baking sheet with flour

In large bowl add flour, baking powder and salt

Add the sugar, eggs and orange rind and mix to form dough.

Knead in the almonds

Roll the dough into a ball. Cut in half and roll out each portion into a log about an 1 1/2 inches diameter. Place the logs on the baking sheet and bake in the pre-heated oven for 10 minutes.

Let cool for 5 minutes

Using a serrated knife, cut the baked dough into 1/2 inch thick slices (cutting on the diagonal makes them prettier). Place the slices back on the baking sheet and return to oven and bake an additonal 15 minutes. Biscotti should be gold in color.

Transfer to a wire rack and let cool and harden.

NOTE: You can replace the orange rind with 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract if you like the vanilla flavor.

These footed serving plates will not go to waste. Use them for cakes, cookies, candies and your Biscotti. Show off what you've made!

Chocolate is my very favorite flavor and when I heard that chocolate can actually be good for you, well, I was elated. I love anything that has chocolate in it or on it. So, this Chocolate & Almond Biscotti recipe has to be my very favorite.

Ingredients:

Butter for greasing pan

1 cup blanched almonds

5 1/2 ounces chocolate chips, MELTED (semi sweet or milk chocolate) (I prefer the darkest chocolate I can find),

1 3/4 cup all purpose flour, plus extra for dusting

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 cup sugar

2 large eggs, slightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Grease one baking sheet with butter.

Spread the almonds on another baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 5 to 10 mnutes, or until lightly toasted. Let them cool

Place the flour and baking powder in large mixing bowl

Add the sugar, cooled almonds and melted chocolate, eggs and vanilla extract and mix together to form a soft dough

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and with floured hands, knead for 2 to 3 minutes or until smooth

Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a log shape until it measures about 2 inches in diameter. Place the logs on the prepared baking sheet and flatten each log until it is about 1 inch thick.

Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 25 minutes or until firm to the touch. Let it cool for 15 minutes.

While it is cooling reduce your oven temperature to 300 degress F.

Using a serrated knife, cut the baked dough into 1 inch thick slices and place cut side down on baking pan.

Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until crisp.

Transfer to wire rack and let cool and the Biscotti hardens.

If you love coffee this one is for you

This Biscotti has a mild chocolate and coffee taste and is excellent when eaten with a good cup of coffee or latte'. Spread a little peanut butter on it for an extra special taste.

Ingredients:

3 1/2 tablespoons butter, plus more for greasing baking pan

1/2 cup sugar

2 large eggs, slightly beaten

4 teaspoons of chicory and coffee extract

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour, plus extra for dusting

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon, unsweetened cocoa

1/4 cup chopped, blanched almonds

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a large baking sheet and dust with flour

Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and whisk together until pale and creamy (use electric mixer with whisk attachment)

Whisk the eggs and chicory and coffee extract into the mixture and mix well.

Add the flour, baking powder and cocoa and mix well

Add the almonds and mix together to form a soft dough

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and with floured hands, knead dough for 2 to 3 minutes or until smooth.

Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a log shape measuring about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Place the logs on your baking sheet and flatten with a fork until they are about 1 inch thick

Bake in your pre-heated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until dough is firm to the touch.

Remove from the oven and let cool for about 15 minutes.

While dough is cooling reduce your oven temperature to 325 degrees F.

When dough has cooled, using a serrated knife cut the dough into 1/2 inch slices and place, cut side down, on baking sheet

Bake for an additional 10 minutes, turn and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until crisp

Transfer to wire rack to cool and harden

There are hundreds of Biscotti recipes. If you love Biscotti, get a good Biscotti Cookbook.

Let me know what your favorite cookies are or if you like to bake. Whatever is on your mind..it is your turn!