Festive Cranberry and Date Biscotti

Name: Festive Cranberry and Date Biscotti
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 42 biscotti
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature (3/4 stick, 90 grams); 1/2 cup icing sugar, plus 1 one tablespoon icing sugar; 2 large eggs, divided; 1 orange, zest of (large); 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger; 1 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/2 cup dried cranberries; 1/2 cup dates, pitted, cut into pieces size of cranberries; 3/4 cup unsalted shelled pistachio, natural; 6 ounces white chocolate chips

Submitted by evelynathens

"These Italian biscuits are hard and crunchy because they are twice-cooked (‘bis’ is Italian for twice and ‘cotti’ for cooked). This makes them ideal for dipping into dessert wine, coffee or tea. Gifting these delicious cookies by placing them in a pretty, seasonal tin will make them the most well-received treat of the holidays!"

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photo by Lalaloula

Ready In:: 1hr 20mins
Ingredients:: 14
Yields:: 42 biscotti

ingredients

2 ¹⁄₄ cups all-purpose flour
1 ¹⁄₂ teaspoons baking powder
³⁄₄ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature (3/4 stick, 90 grams)
¹⁄₂ cup icing sugar, plus 1 one tablespoon icing sugar
2 large eggs, divided
1 orange, zest of (large)
1 ¹⁄₂ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ¹⁄₂ teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon nutmeg
¹⁄₂ cup dried cranberries
¹⁄₂ cup dates, pitted, cut into pieces size of cranberries
³⁄₄ cup unsalted shelled pistachio, natural
White Chocolate Drizzle or Dip
6 ounces white chocolate chips

directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Line 3 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into medium bowl.
Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in large bowl to blend well.
Beat in eggs 1 at a time.
Mix in orange zest, vanilla, ginger and nutmeg.
Beat in flour mixture just until blended.
Stir in cranberries, dates and pistachios (dough will be sticky).
Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface.
Gather dough together; divide in half.
Roll each half into 15-inch-long log (about 1 1/4 inches wide).
Carefully transfer logs to 1 prepared baking sheet, spacing 3 inches apart.
Bake logs until almost firm to touch but still pale, about 30 minutes.
Cool logs on baking sheet 10 minutes.
Maintain oven temperature.
Carefully transfer logs still on parchment paper to cutting board.
Using serrated knife and gentle sawing motion, cut logs crosswise into generous 1/2-inch-thick slices.
Place slices, one cut side down, on remaining 2 prepared sheets.
Bake until firm and pale golden, about 10 minutes per side.
Transfer cookies to racks and cool.
Stir chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water until smooth.
Remove from over water.
Using tines of fork, drizzle chocolate over biscotti or, alternatively, dip half of biscotti in the melted chocolate.
Let stand until chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.

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Reviews

These were just okay in our opinion. I did however have to adjust the recipe. I found the mixture far too dry to stick together, so I added an extra egg. I also found that I only had room for half the amount of nuts called for. Even with the added egg, the baking time was right on with my oven. The chocolate drizzle was very nice, as the dried cranberries I use are not as sweet as the Craisins brand, so that helped with the sweetness. Unfortunately, I was 'drizzle challenged' that day, so had to spread it on with an offset spatula. Too bad, as I love the look of drizzle. I'm really sorry we didn't enjoy these more. Made for the 2010 Craze-E Category Contest. Good luck and thanks for participating.

Diana 2
These biscotti are wonderful! They are easy to make and rather quick, too. Your directions are very clear and great to follow even for someone making biscotti for the first time (like me).<br/>The texture is very crumbly and hard, just like any good biscotti Ive ever tried.<br/>The cranberries, pistachios and dates go great together with the spices and make for a very yummy biscotti that would be superb with tea or coffee. The white chocolate adds a nice sweet touch and looks pretty, but is not necessary in my opinion.<br/>I had to leave out the orange zest due to an allergy, but Im sure it would have been nice.<br/>THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing this awesome recipe with us! Ill surely make it again and have already given a tin to a friend as a gift.<br/>Good luck in the contest!

Lalaloula