Thursday, July 3, 2014

Biscotti





Recently I have been addicted to making biscotti, and I have created the ultimate recipe. Each biscotti is about 85 calories, and is very low in fat. The ingredients you'll need are few and simple.
Ingredients:
-3 cups all purpose flour
-1 cup sugar
-2 large eggs
-1 egg white
-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
-1 teaspoon baking powder
-1 teaspoon clementine or orange rind (I zest the entire clementine)
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1/4 teaspoon almond extract
-3/4 cup unsalted almonds
-1/4 cup plus 2 1/2 tablespoons of water
-1 teaspoon salt
-Extra Water
Optional:
-1/4 teaspoon maple extract
- 1.5 teaspoons of poppy seed

Right off the bat you can see that there is no oil or butter. I also take away one yolk from an egg to eliminate some cholesterol. If you use a salted nut like pistachios add only a small pinch of salt. Now the orange rind is not optional, because I've tried it without, and it does not taste nearly as good. The maple extract is optional because it can be hard to find, but it just adds more depth to the dough. The poppy seeds add color, but not much taste. Now before you start, know that this dough will be extremely sticky. Make sure you are always flouring your surface and spraying your hands with nonstick spray.
Directions:
1.) Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F
2.) In a mixing bowl, mix together your flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, poppy seeds, and almonds.

3.) Using a spatula or spoon give your dry ingredients a small mix.
4.) In a separate bowl, mix together your eggs (including egg white), water, clementine or orange rind, vanilla extract, almond extract, and maple extract.

5.) With the mixer on medium speed, slowly add your wet ingredients into the mixer.
6.) Mix until everything is mixed together and your dough is formed, like the picture below. 

It may take a couple of extra tablespoons of water for the dough to form. Add it slowly and wait and see if it helped.

7.) Flour your surface and hands and put the batter onto your surface. Remember, the batter will be sticky.
8.) Spray your hands with nonstick spray, as well as the surface you will be placing the dough on.
9.) Place some flour onto the same surface where you sprayed the dough. I ran out of flour so I used nonstick spray, but usually I only use flour.
10.) Place half of the dough onto the surface.
11.) Re-flour(or re-spray) your hands and take one half and place it on your floured surface. You want to make sure you re-flour it so that it doesn't stick to your surface. Apply more flour (or spray) to the top. Using your hands, press the dough into about an 8 inch log that is about 2.5 inches wide, and about 1/2 an inch thick. Put your log onto your cookie sheet (make sure your cookie sheet is sprayed with nonstick spray).



When you put the log onto the sheet it will not want to come off your surface. Use your fingers as a spatula and get under the log as best you can. When you place it onto the sheet simply reshape it to how it was.

12.) Repeat the same process with the other half, and make sure to re-flour(or re-spray) everything the same way you did for the other half.
13.) Make sure the logs are placed horizontally on the baking sheet, both separated from each other,
14.) Using a baking brush or paper towel, lightly brush off as much flour as you can off from the tops.
15.) Bake for 30 minutes and then take out of the oven and let them cool for 10 minutes.
16.) Place one log on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut the dough horizontally into about 1in. thick biscotti's. Place the biscotti's onto the cookie sheet.

17.) Bake for 15 min, and then flip the biscotti's over to get an even cook time.
18.) After you flip them, bake for another 10 min
19.) Take them out of the oven and let them cool completely.


I'm telling you, these with a cup of tea are literally heaven. When you put the logs on the cookie sheet you may have to reform them a bit, and don't be discouraged by the dough. These are worth it!!!! I also love replacing the almonds with cashews and replacing the orange with lemon. The great thing about these is that you can make them however you want. If you're feeling fancy, melt some chocolate with water and drizzle it over the top.


I'm leaving on vacation tonight so I will not be posting anything on a schedule. I have some posts ready though and I I will post them throughout this month!
As Always,
xoxo Em


*This post is not sponsored, all opinions are my own :)*



3 comments:

  1. oohhh.. these look sooo yummy!!! :) should be so perfect with tea!!

    Animated Confessions

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  2. These look so tasty. I will be giving these a try :) x

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  3. Nice post,dear!Really like it:)
    Keep in touch xx
    Antonella!

    ReplyDelete