Citrus Chocolate Biscotti Food

ELLEN'S CHOCOLATE BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees and set rack in the middle level of the oven. Cover 2 large cookie sheets or jelly roll pans with parchment or foil.
• Mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt and sift into a mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar and nuts.
• Whisk the eggs and vanilla and stir into the flour mixture to form a dough.
• On a lightly floured surface, press dough together. Divide dough in half and roll into a log the length of the pan (14 to 18 inches) Place each log on the pan and flatten slightly. Bake for about 30 minutes, until well risen and firm. Cool the logs on the pans.
• After the logs have cooled, detach from paper and slice them about 1/2-inch thick with a sharp serrated knife. Place back on paper lined pans, cut side down, and bake again for about 20 minutes, or until dry and crisp. Cool on pans and store in a tin or plastic container with a tight fitting lid.

VANILLA-CITRUS BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Make the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl. Melt the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl in the microwave. Whisk in the granulated sugar and eggs until smooth; whisk in the grapefruit and lemon zest. Stir in the flour mixture with a rubber spatula until just combined, then stir in the orange peel.
• Divide the dough in half. Shape each piece into an 8-inch log about 2 inches wide on the prepared pan. Bake until golden, about 25 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes on the pan.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Slice the logs crosswise 1/2 inch thick. Arrange the slices cut-side down on the same pan. Bake, rotating the pan once, until the cookies are dry, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool completely on the pan.
• Make the glaze: Heat the butter and vanilla pod and seeds in a skillet over medium heat until the butter sizzles, 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool slightly, then strain into a bowl. Whisk in the confectioners' sugar and 3 tablespoons heavy cream, thinning with the remaining 1 tablespoon cream if needed. Transfer to a small resealable plastic bag, snip a corner and pipe on the biscotti. Sprinkle with nonpareils. Let set, about 45 minutes.

HOLIDAY BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line a heavy large baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk the flour and baking powder in a medium bowl to blend. Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar, butter, lemon zest, and salt in a large bowl to blend. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time. Add the flour mixture and beat just until blended. Stir in the pistachios and cranberries.
• Form the dough into a 13-inch long, 3-inch wide log on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until light golden, about 40 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes.
• Place the log on the cutting board. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the log on a diagonal into 1/2 to 3/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange the biscotti, cut side down, on the baking sheet. Bake the biscotti until they are pale golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer the biscotti to a rack and cool completely.
• Stir the chocolate in a bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water until the chocolate melts. Dip half of the biscotti into the melted chocolate. Gently shake off the excess chocolate. Place the biscotti on the baking sheet for the chocolate to set. Sprinkle with the sugar crystals. Refrigerate until the chocolate is firm, about 35 minutes.
• The biscotti can be made ahead. Store them in an airtight container up to 4 days, or wrap them in foil and freeze in resealable plastic bags up to 3 weeks.

LEMON ANISE BISCOTTI

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat eggs and sugar for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add oil and extracts; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; beat into egg mixture. Beat in lemon zest and aniseed. , Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, shape each portion into a 12x2-in. rectangle. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment. Flatten to 1/2-in. thickness. , Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden and tops begin to crack. Carefully remove to wire racks; cool for 5 minutes. , Transfer to a cutting board; cut with a serrated knife into scant 3/4-in. slices. Place cut side down on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 5 minutes. Turn and bake 5-7 minutes longer or until firm and golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container.

CITRUS BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl, beat the sugar and eggs with an electric mixer until pale yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in the orange and lemon zests, then the flour mixture, and beat just until blended; the dough will be soft and sticky. Stir in the pistachios. Let stand for 5 minutes.
• Using a rubber spatula, transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet, forming two equal mounds spaced evenly apart. Moisten your hands with water and shape the dough into two 11 x 4-inch logs. Bake until the logs are lightly browned, about 35 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes. Using a serrated knife, cut the logs crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick diagonal slices. Arrange the biscotti cut side down on the same baking sheet, and bake until the cookies are pale golden, about 25 minutes. Let cool before serving.

CHOCOLATE CITRUS BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Stir the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar in another large bowl until pale yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the orange and lemon zests to the dry ingredients. Add the flour mixture to the eggs and sugar and beat just until blended (the dough will be soft and sticky). Let stand for 5 minutes.
• Using a rubber spatula, transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet, forming two mounds spaced evenly apart. Moisten your hands with water and shape the dough into two 11 by 4-inch logs. Bake until lightly brown, about 35 minutes. Cool the logs for 5 minutes. Using a serrated knife, cut the logs crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick diagonal slices. Arrange the biscotti cut side down on the same baking sheet. Bake until the biscotti are pale and golden, about 25 minutes. Cool the biscotti on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Using a metal spatula, transfer the biscotti to a rack and cool completely.
• Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds, about 1 1/2 minutes total. Dip 1 cut side of each biscotti into the melted chocolate. Gently shake off the excess chocolate. Place the biscotti, chocolate side up, on the baking sheet. Refrigerate until the chocolate is firm, about 35 minutes. Dip a pastry brush in the cocoa, then lightly brush the cocoa over the chocolate on each biscotti.
• The biscotti can be made ahead. Store them in an airtight container up to 4 days, or wrap them in foil and freeze in resealable plastic bags up to 3 weeks.