Odense Almond Paste Biscotti Food

DOUBLE ALMOND BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment.
• Grate almond paste and butter into a medium bowl.
• Add sugar, flour, baking powder and salt and mix with fork until crumbly (I used my mixer) and stir in almonds.
• Whisk together egg whites and vanilla and add to mixture (I did not combine them first) and mix until dough holds together.
• Turn out onto a lightly floured counter (dough is quite sticky) roll into 2 inch thick log (my roll was wider than 2 inches at this point).
• Cut into 2 pieces; roll each 10 inches long and flatten to 3/4 inches.
• Transfer to ungreased or parchment lined sheets and bake 35 minutes until golden.
• Cool sheets on rack for 10 minutes and then slice into 3/4-inch diagonal slices (I used a serrated knife and it worked well).
• Return to cookie sheet, cut side down and bake 12 minutes: flip and bake 12 minutes more (I would reduce oven temp next time for this step since mine browned quickly and I baked mine a few minutes longer since my biscotti were larger).
• Cool completely on racks and store in air-tight container (I think they looked great in a clear jar on the counter).

THE BEST ALMOND BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Adjust rack to center position and heat the oven to 350 degree. Line a cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper.
• Place the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nuts in a large bowl and stir to combine. In a small bowl combine the eggs, butter and vanilla and whisk to fully combine.
• Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the egg mixture. Using a rubber spatula, mix to combine until a rough dough forms.
• Dump the dough onto a work surface and knead a couple of times until the dough comes together, adding extra flour sparingly and only if necessary. Start to form the dough into a big, fat cigar and cut it in half. Form each half into a cigar about 1 inch thick, 2 inches wide and about 12 inches long. Place them onto the cookie sheet and lightly press with fingers to slightly flat cigars.
• Bake for 25 minutes reversing the pan halfway through. The bars will be firm to the touch and just slightly browned. Remove from the oven and lower the temperature to 300 degrees. Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 15 minutes.
• Remove cookies to a cutting board using two spatulas. Using a serrated knife, slice the bars on an angle about 1/2 inch tick to form the biscotti. Lay them back on the cookie sheet with either cut side down and place back in oven for 15 minutes. Turn each cookie to expose the other cut side and place in oven for another 15 minutes. Let cool on a rack to room temperature. Place cookies in an airtight container.