Biscotti Toscani Food

TUSCAN BISCOTTI (CANTUCCI)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together eggs and granulated sugar until pale and thick, about 5 minutes. Mix in orange zest and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture until combined. Mix in nuts and dried fruit.
• Divide dough evenly between two parchment-lined baking sheets, forming each half into a 9-by-5-inch rectangle. Brush tops with egg white and sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon sanding sugar.
• Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until golden all over and tops are firm to the touch, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks and let cool 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees.
• Working with one rectangle at a time, transfer dough to a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut on a slight diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange, cut-side down, on fresh parchment-lined baking sheets.
• Bake, rotating sheets and flipping cookies halfway through, until lightly golden all over, about 40 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks and let cool completely. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 weeks.

ALMOND BISCOTTI TOSCANI (GLUTEN-FREE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F Cover baking sheet with parchment paper or grease and flour baking sheet.
• Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, extracts, and orange zest.
• Combine flours together in a bowl. Slowly blend dry ingredients into creamed mixture. Stir in almonds. Add water if dough is too dry. Consistency should be similar to play dough.
• Roll half of mixture into a log approximately 12 inches long. Place on baking sheet and smooth into loaf about 1/2 thick and still 12 inches long. Repeat with other half of mixture side by side on same baking sheet.
• Bake for 25 minutes until set and lightly browned.
• Place on rack to cool for 5 minutes. Cut loaves diagonally into slices 1/2" thick.
• Place slices on their sides on the baking sheet. Return to oven for 5 minutes.
• Remove from oven, flip slices over and bake an additional 5 minutes.
• Cool completely and store in tightly covered container.