Chris and I decided to each make a list of things we'd like to do in 2011.
My list included making biscotti. I've always wanted to give it a try but for some reason biscotti making seemed so daunting. I've had this recipe bookmarked for a while, and we had all of the ingredients so Tuesday night was biscotti night! It was a complete success and turned out so tasty!
This recipe requires you to brown butter (which I could never get quite right) but I did it this time! Don't use a spoon to stir it, just swirl the pan and you'll be able to tell when it's ready when it smells nutty (I cooked it for a little longer than five minutes). Make sure to scrape off all of the bits on the bottom of the pan...that is what you were trying to make!
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Biscotti
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup smooth natural peanut butter, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups dry roasted peanuts
- 1 1/4 cups chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chunks (about 6 ounces)
Directions
Position racks evenly in the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Melt the butter over medium heat, swirling the pan occasionally. Continue to cook until the butter browns and gets a nutty aroma, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl.
Beat the eggs in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until light and pale yellow, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the sugar while beating. Then slowly add the butter and vanilla until evenly mixed, about 30 seconds more. Add the peanut butter and mix until combined.
While mixing slowly, add the dry ingredients to the wet, in 2 additions, mixing just until absorbed. Fold in the peanuts and chocolate pieces.
Divide the dough evenly into thirds, and put each portion in the center of a baking sheet. Shape the dough with slightly wet hands into logs about 2-inches wide and 15 inches long. Bake until set and brown around the edges, about 25 to 30 minutes. (For even baking take care to rotate the pans-- top to bottom and front to back--about half way though.) Cool logs on the baking sheets for about 10 minutes.
Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Carefully transfer the logs to a cutting board. Cut logs crosswise, with a long serrated knife at about a 45 degree angle, into 1/2-inch thick cookies. Place cookies cut side down on the baking sheets. Bake until crisp, about 8 minutes. Flip the cookies over and bake until golden brown, about 8 minutes more. Cool biscotti on the baking sheets. Serve.
So, when are you making biscotti for me?
i'm with kira! biscotti party!
Yum! This looks great. My mom-in-law makes biscotti all the time. I'll need to start whipping some up too:-)