For my last DIY gift idea this year, I thought I’d share an (edible) recipe that I seem to end up making every year. I’ve tried a few recipes over the years but the best I’ve come across is slightly adapted from Smitten Kitchen, an awesome food blog which now has its own book! Biscotti are perfect as presents as most recipes are dairy free, almost fat free and pretty low in sugar as far as baked goods go. They will also keep for 2 weeks or more so are ideal for making ahead. If cocoa and hazelnuts aren’t your thing, there are hundreds of variations on the net. But traditional biscotti do not contain butter or oil…so watch out for the impostors!
(Makes 40-60 biscotti depending how thick and at what angle you slice it!)
1 cup whole hazelnuts
2 1/2 cups plain flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tablespoon espresso powder
Pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
4 large eggs
1 1/3 cups sugar
Preheat oven to 180°C.Toast hazelnuts on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes until lightly browned. Remove the hazelnuts from the oven, wrap in a cotton tea towel and run until most of the skins come away. Set aside. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl (flour, cocoa, espresso powder, salt, baking soda and baking powder) and set aside. Beat the eggs together. Remove two tablespoons of egg mixture into small dish and set aside. Beat sugar into remaining eggs until well combined. Stir in flour mixture to form soft dough. Divide the dough in half and place one portion on a well-floured work surface and pat it into a six-inch square. Scatter half the hazelnuts on the dough and press them into the surface. Roll the dough into a cylinder about 2 inches in diameter and 12 to 15 inches long. Line the baking sheet with baking paper and place the roll of dough on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough. Brush the tops of both rolls with the reserved egg. Place in the oven and bake about 20 minutes, until firm to the touch. Transfer to a cutting board and cut on an angle into slices one-half-inch thick. Return the slices to the baking sheet, laying them on their cut sides, and return them to the oven. Bake another 20 minutes, until they are crisp and dry. Allow to cool completely before storing or serving.
26 Comments
Thanks for this, I’m so gonna make them later! xx
Oh wow these look so yummy! Definitely saving this recipe for Christmas Day baking
X
These look amazing! My mum is Italian so loves biscotti but these look like a really nice alternative to the traditional chocolate-less version!!xx
fuchsiaforest.blogspot.co.uk
Looks so good! The video is really nice and handy too!
Those look amazing. I’ve never had chocolate ones before! I will definitely try these!
Yummo! I had a big cooking day making jams and chutneys but I might give this a go tomorrow, and give them as gifts naturally after i have eaten half of them,
xk
http://dressreview.blogspot.com/
They look so delicious. I’ve always wanted to make Biscotti! Your photographs are always so beautiful! xx
http://labeauteobsession.blogspot.co.uk/
Wow these look so yummy
Have tried Biscotti yet so may have to over Xmas 
Charlee
http://charmedcharlee.blogspot.co.uk
xxxx
They look so good! I’m so tempted to do them as a nice little homemade christmas treat to go with the other presents. xx
http://www.charissarae.blogspot.co.uk
We used to make something just like this at the bakery I worked for, adding chocolate chips for good measure!
Delicious.
They look so delicious. I plan of making them for my sister for christmas.
xx
This recipe is amazing! I’m invited to a sort of a fancy christmas party on Friday and will definitely bring these as a gift. So thank you for sharing this!
Nathalie x
Yum this sounds so nice, I’m not normally a fan of plain biscotti, but chocolate ones might just do it for me
Daniella x
http://daniella-r.blogspot.co.uk
amazing, I’m definitely trying this
http://www.littleboblab.blogspot.com
Great recipe!! Thank u!!
xx
walkingthroughthecitystreets.blogspot.com
This is such a great recipe! I have to try it (:
Mmm, this looks so yummy! Makes me feel all festive as well, definitely going to try this!
http://alittlebitunique.blogspot.co.uk/
x
This looks so delicious, will have to give it a go! x
http://wewereraisedbywolves.blogspot.co.uk/
These look awesomee! Definitely gonna try this at Christmas time
Aimée Xx
dress-it-up-6.blogspot.co.uk
YUM! Will definitely be making this for Christmas!!
http://www.tinytwisst.blogspot.com
YUM! I LOVE biscotti but haven’t made it in years! This seems relatively easy so i will have to give it a go for Christmas!
Anna
http://opshopaholic.blogspot.co.nz/
Those look delicious! Lovely post.
I’m absolutely going to try baking this..But Nutella simply must be involved!
Scrummy!
x
http://cakevsscales.blogspot.co.uk/
yummm! i really need to try this, it looks so delicious! xx
http://chocolatelights.blogspot.com/
They look delicious! Have bookmarked this page so I make some as a little treat for myself. Thanks for sharing the recipe x
peoniesandlilies.com
This command can be used for item your dog picks up or plays with, including Christmas decorations.
http://www.christmaslightsandmore.com/