Feeling Italian

Ok, so maybe not really feeling Italian.  But I am ready a good book called "Aftertaste," which is about an American woman who was the owner of an Italian restaurant and is quite the chef.  In the whole book they mention Biscotti, and she even makes them for her teething toddler.  So, this got me feeling like I could make these little "cookies."

I found this recipe online, at Joy of Baking and gave it a go.  I will note that I used honey instead of sugar and semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of white, so Coli could partake.  I also added a 1/2 tsp of cinnamon.   It was quite a fun experiment this morning, and now I am not longer intimidated by biscotti.  Bon Appetit!

Chocolate Biscotti: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add the eggs and egg yolk, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder. Add to the butter mixture and beat until incorporated. Stir in the dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and divide it in half. Form each half into a log 10 inches (25 cm) long. Do this by rolling the dough back and forth into a cylinder shape with floured hands. Transfer the logs to the baking sheet, spacing them well apart (width-wise on the pan), and pat to even the shapes. Bake until firm to the touch, about 25 - 30 minutes (logs will spread during baking). Remove from the oven, place on a wire rack, and let cool for about 10 minutes. Using a long spatula transfer the logs to a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut the logs into slices about 3/4 inch (2 cm) thick on the diagonal. Arrange the slices on the baking sheet and bake on about 8 - 10 minutes. Turn the slices over and bake until crisp and dry, about 8 - 10 minutes longer. Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack. Makes about 24 - 30 biscotti.

Chocolate Biscotti with Cranberries:

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar

2 large eggs

1 large egg yolk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups (230 grams) all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (45 grams) Dutch-processed cocoa powder

1/2 cup (50 grams) dried cranberries

1/2 cup (90 grams) white chocolate chips

Note: The biscotti can be dipped in white chocolate. Melt 3 ounces (90 grams) of chopped white chocolate and 1 teaspoon of vegetable shortening in a small metal bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Watch carefully as white chocolate can burn easily. Stir to melt. Remove from heat and with an offset spatula spread a layer of white chocolate on one side of the biscotti (or dip one end into the melted chocolate). Let the chocolate dry on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Read more: http://joyofbaking.com/ChocolateBiscottiwithCranberries.html#ixzz23p3sDonI