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| I had a request for todays' baking project.... It was freezing cold...a bit of snow and the Boss was Out of the House... So I baked... I love Biscotti and I love to make them trying different ingredients...so Today looking through my Pantry I found a container of candied fruit that I picked up on the clearance table at Publix after the Holidays... I have always loved Fruitcake...yes...I'm one of "those" People... So I thought I would try Fruitcake Biscotti... Here is the recipe...it's simple...it's quick and they came terrific.... at the end of the recipe I'll add some other variations you can try because we know... "everyone hates fruitcake".... Easy Biscotti 2 cups of flour 1 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder 1/4 teaspoon of salt... 3/4 cup of sugar 1/2 (1 stick) of softened butter 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon of vanilla chose your added ingredients....a list is below... Preheat oven to 350 degrees... Line a heavy large baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk the flour, the baking powder and the salt in a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer or your Kitchen Aid beat the sugar and the butter to blend..... add the eggs one at a time... Add your chosen ingredients and beat just until blended... form the dough into two 12" long 2" wide log...I use either a Tablespoon or a Rubber Spatula to form the log as the dough will be sticky....You want enough room between the two so they don't bake together....if that happens just use your knife to separate them... Bake until light golden brown for about 30 minutes. Cool about 15 minutes... On a cutting board cut the logs on the diagonal into 3/4" thick slices.....arrange the Biscotti sides down on the baking sheet and pop back in to the oven which has been reduced to a 325 Degree Temperature.... Bake until they are golden brown....shut off the oven...open the door but leave the Biscotti in the oven for a bit longer... when they smell so good you can't stand it any longer....remove... Cool and get that cup of tea or coffee and enjoy!! I prefer to leave them in until they are a little darker then golden...it gives them a wonderful taste and a great crumbly texture.... Here are the variations.... To the batter blend in.... Fruitcake.....a handful of toasted pecans, 1/4 cup of Golden raisins, 1/2 cup of candied red and green cherries and pineapple.... Add anything you love in fruitcake...dried apricots different types of nuts....anything fruity and nutty.... Another wonderful type is adding 1 1/2 teaspoons of Anise Seed plus 1 cup of Mini-semi-sweet chocolate chips... Sounds like an odd combination but the Anise seed with the chocolate is a great taste together... Traditional Almond Biscotti.... Add a teaspoon of Pure Almond Extract plus one cup toasted sliced almonds.... Toasting nuts before baking gives them an even more nuttier flavor... Pistachio Cranberry Biscotti... 1 cup of dried cranberries...1/2 cup of shelled pistachio's and 1 teaspoon of either vanilla extract or orange extract... My "add on" ingredients are as much as I like....I don't stick to actual measurements....I just do a Rachel Ray and throw in handfuls of whatever.... So whatever looks good to you.... But the more the better....don't skimp... I plan on trying dried banana and walnuts.... also dried pineapple and Macadamia Nuts... You get the Idea... Now Babs....Put down those Nonni's Biscotti you bought at Whole Foods and get in the kitchen and Create your own!! Bon Appétit !! |
