Step by step to making biscotti at home

October 6, 10:31 AMDC Cooking ExaminerOlga Berman

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Biscotti are double-baked Italian cookies. They are great dunk in coffee, eaten on their own and given as gifts to friends. You can buy biscotti at grocery stores or specialty food stores, but why not make them at home?

Following is a simple recipe, which you can change to put your own twist on biscotti.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.

2. In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and baking powder, and stir well to mix.

3. In another bowl, whisk the eggs and the vanilla extract. Add to the dry ingredients and stir until a stiff dough is formed.

4. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide in half. Roll each half into a cylinder, just a bit shorter than the baking sheet. Place the dough onto the baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Press down gently with the palm of your hand to flatten the logs. 

5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until they feel firm to the touch. Place on a rack and let cool. 

6. Once the logs have cooled, slice each log into diagonally cut pieces about 1/3 inch thick. 

7. Arrange biscotti on prepared pans, cut side down. Bake for about 15-25 minutes until well toasted. Cool completely.

And now for variations (add these ingredients when mixing flour and sugar)

a. add nuts (pistachios, walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts)

b. add orange or lemon zest

c. add dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, apricots)

d. add spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice)

e. dip the final biscotti in melted chocolate

Enjoy!