Biscotti Di Nocciola E Espresso Hazelnut Espresso Shortbread Co Food

ESPRESSO, HAZELNUT & CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Mix the espresso powder with 1 tsp hot water to form a paste (you'll think it isn't enough water but it is - don't add more otherwise it'll be too watery). Set aside.
• Beat the butter and sugar until soft and blended, then beat in the coffee mixture. Don't overbeat the mixture as you don't want to incorporate too much air. (If the coffee isn't completely incorporated, don't worry - it will be once you add the flours).
• Sift together the flours and add them to the butter in three lots, mixing in with a wooden spoon and, eventually, your hands. Bring together into a ball, then transfer to a lightly floured surface and quickly knead in the hazelnuts. Don't overdo this - you don't want the butter to get too warm. Press the dough into a circle, wrap it in cling film and put in the fridge for about 40 mins.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 0.75cm thick. Cut out circles about 6cm across with a biscuit cutter and put the circles on a non-stick baking sheet (or two baking sheets, depending on their size). Re-roll the dough as you need to, but try not to do this too often. Put the baking sheets in the coldest part of the fridge and leave them for about 45 mins. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3.
• Bake the shortbread for 20 mins, or until the top is just firm when you press it with your index finger. Take out of the oven and leave on the baking sheets to cool for a while (it is very fragile when hot), then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water, then remove the bowl and leave to cool a little and rm up somewhat. Dip each piece of shortbread halfway in the melted chocolate, then put on a sheet of baking parchment. Sprinkle the toasted hazelnuts on the chocolate half and leave to set completely. Will keep for 4 days in an airtight tin.

BISCOTTI-GELATO SANDWICHES AND ESPRESSO

Steps:

• To make the sandwiches, take the ice cream out of the freezer to soften. Cover 1 side of each piece of biscotti with hazelnut spread. Place the biscotti in the freezer for 5 minutes to firm up. Take out of the freezer and quickly spread 1/4 cup of ice cream on the hazelnut side of 4 of the biscotti and top with another biscotti, spread side against the ice cream. Place the biscotti ice cream sandwiches back in the freezer for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, brew 4 shots of espresso. Pour the espresso and serve with the biscotti-gelato sandwiches alongside.

BISCOTTI DI NOCCIOLA E ESPRESSO (HAZELNUT ESPRESSO SHORTBREAD CO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Blend flour, brown sugar, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon espresso powder and salt in processor.
• Add butter and vanilla.
• Using pulse, process until mixture resembles coarse meal.
• Add nuts; blend until finely chopped.
• Transfer dough to floured work surface. Knead just until dough comes together. Divide dough in half.
• Press each half into 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Bake until deep golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• Transfer shortbread to rack; cool 2 minutes. Remove pan sides.
• Cut each shortbread round into 24 wedges. Cool completely.
• Mix 2 tablespoons hot water and remaining 1 teaspoon espresso powder in small saucepan. Add chocolate.
• Stir over medium-low heat until chocolate is smooth. Remove from heat. Cool slightly.
• Drizzle chocolate mixture over cookies.
• Let stand until chocolate sets.

ITALIAN HAZELNUT ESPRESSO SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Blend flour, brown sugar, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon espresso powder and salt in processor. Add butter and vanilla. Using on/off turns, process until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add nuts; blend until finely chopped. Transfer dough to floured work surface. Knead just until dough comes together.
• Divide dough in half. Press each half into 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Bake until deep golden brown, about 25 minutes. Transfer shortbread to rack; cool 2 minutes. Remove pan sides.
• Cut each shortbread round into 24 wedges. Cool completely.
• Mix 2 tablespoons hot water and remaining 1 teaspoon espresso powder in small saucepan. Add chocolate. Stir over medium-low heat until chocolate is smooth. Remove from heat. Cool slightly. Drizzle chocolate mixture over cookies. Let stand until chocolate sets. (Can be prepared ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week, or freeze up to 1 month.)

ESPRESSO BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a cookie sheet or line it with parchment paper.
• Cream together butter and sugar in a bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
• Sift together the flour, cinnamon, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Mix dry ingredients into the egg mixture. Stir in the espresso powder, orange zest, chocolate chips, dried apricots, dried cranberries and almonds.
• Shape dough into two equal logs approximately 12 inches long by 2 inches diameter. Place logs on baking sheet, and flatten out to about 1 inch thickness. Brush the log with egg wash.
• Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden and the center is firm, about 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven to cool on the pans. When loaves are cool enough to handle, use a serrated knife to slice the loaves diagonally into 1/2 inch thick slices. Return the slices to the baking sheet.
• Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Bake until they start turning light brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool completely, and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

ESPRESSO-HAZELNUT BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour 2 baking sheets, knocking out excess flour.
• In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachemt (or you can use a hand-held mixer like I do), beat together the flour, brown sugar, espresso powder, zest, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Beat in eggs and vanilla just until a dough forms. Stir in hazelnuts.
• On a lightly floured surface, knead dough several times. Halve dough with floured hands and form each half into a flattish log, 13" long by 1" wide. Put both logs at least 4" apart on one baking sheet and brush with egg wash.
• Bake logs in the center of the oven for 30 minutes. Cool on baking sheet set over a rack for 10 minutes.
• Transfer logs, one at a time, to a cutting board. Use a serrated knife to slice the logs on a crosswise diagonal into 3/4-inch-thick slices.
• Arrange biscotti, cut sides down, on 2 baking sheets.
• Bake biscotti in upper and lower thirds of oven for 8 minutes. Remove sheets from oven and turn biscotti over with a spatula. Return biscotti to oven, switching positions of sheets, and bake 8 minutes more, or until biscotti are slightly darker. Transfer biscotti to racks and cool.
• Biscotti keep 3 days in an airtight container at room temperature.