Chocolate Walnut Mandlebrot Jewish Biscotti Food

CHOCOLATE WALNUT BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper (waxed paper will not work, it will smoke.).
• In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine the chocolate and sugar and grind until the chocolate is very fine. Set aside.
• In a bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
• In a mixing bowl combine the eggs and the vanilla. Beat at medium speed to blend.
• Reduce the speed to low, add the chocolate and flour mixtures and mix until a stiff dough forms, adding the walnuts when about half mixed.
• Transfer the dough to a floured surface and gather it together. Divide in half. Form each half into a log 12 inches long. (Give the logs plenty of space on both sides as the width of the logs doubles during baking.).
• Carefully transfer the logs to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
• Pat to even up the shapes. Bake until almost firm to the touch, about 50 minutes. (I have found that 40 minutes was sufficient).
• Let cool for 10 minutes. (Do not let it cool for longer as the logs will become brittle and more difficult to slice without breaking.).
• Leave the oven set at 300°F.
• Using a spatula, transfer the logs to a work surface. Using a serrated knife, cut on the diagonal into slices 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Return the slices cut side down to the baking sheet.
• Bake for 25 minutes. (I baked mine 15 minutes and the biscotti were very crispy).
• Turn the slices over and bake until crispy and dry, about 25 minutes longer. (Again, I found 15 minutes to be good).
• Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.

TRADITIONAL JEWISH MANDELBROT (MANDEL BREAD) RECIPE

Steps:

• Set rack in middle level of the oven and preheat to 350°F.
• In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt; stir well to mix.
• In another bowl, whisk eggs by hand until well mixed. Add sugar and whisk until smooth. Whisk in extract and oil.
• Fold flour mixture into egg mixture until all flour is absorbed. Fold in nuts, raisins, and chocolate chips.
• On a lightly floured surface, press dough together. Divide dough in half and roll each half into a log the length of your pan (14 to 18 inches). Place each log on pan and flatten slightly. Bake until well-risen and firm, about 25-30 minutes. Cool the logs on the pans and racks.
• Reset racks in upper and lower thirds of oven. Using sharp serrated knife, slice baked logs diagonally about every 1/2 inch. Place cinnamon-sugar mixture in a shallow dish and turn the cut cookies in it. Return biscotti to the pans, cut side down, and bake until dry and crisp, up to 20 minutes longer.
• Store cooled cookies between sheets of parchment or wax paper in tin or plastic container with tight-fitting container.

CHOCOLATE-WALNUT MANDLEBROT (JEWISH BISCOTTI)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Coat a large cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, chocolate chips, and walnuts.
• In a separate bowl, blend eggs with vanilla and almond extracts.
• Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add wet mixture. Mix until completely blended (you may have to use lightly floured hands).
• Divide dough in half and shape into two loaves, about 3/4 inches high, 2 inches wide, and 12 inches long. Place on cookie sheet.
• Bake 35 minutes, until golden brown on the bottom. Remove from oven.
• Using a serrated knife and cutting board, cut dough crosswise on a slight angle into 3/4-inch-thick slices.
• Lay slices flat on cookie sheet and return to oven for 5 - 10 minutes, depending on desired crunchiness.
• Remove from oven and turn cookies over; return to oven and bake for another 5 - 10 minutes more.
• Sprinkle topping (cinnamon and sugar), if using, on both sides.

BARB'S CHOCOLATE WALNUT BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Toast walnuts in oven or microwave; set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a large cookie sheet.
• In a bowl whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
• In another bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy; add egg, zest and orange juice and beat until well combined; stir in flour mixture until a soft dough is formed, stir in walnuts.
• On a baking sheet with floured hands form dough into 2 (9-inch) long logs and bake in middle of oven until slightly firm to the touch, about 13 minutes. Cool biscotti on baking sheet on a rack for 15 minutes.
• On a cutting board with serrated knife cut logs diagonally into 1/2-inch- thick slices; arrange biscotti, cut side down, on baking sheet and bake until crisp, about 15 minutes.
• Cool biscotti on rack: biscotti may be made 1 week ahead and kept in airtight containers, or 1 month and frozen.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE WALNUT BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 deg.
• Butter and flour large baking sheet.
• In a bowl whisk together flour, cocoa powder and baking soda. In another bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat until combined well. Stir in flour mixture to form a stiff dough. Stir in nuts and chips.
• On prepared baking sheet, with floured hands, form dough into two slightly flattened logs, each 12 inches long and 2 inches wide.
• Bake logs for 20 - 25 minutes or until slightly firm to the touch.
• Cool biscotti for 5 minutes.
• On a cutting board, cut biscotti diagonally into 3/4 inch slices.
• Place biscotti cut side down on baking sheet and bake until crisp, about 10 minutes.
• Cool biscotti on a rack.