Biscotti - Traditional Anise & Butterscotch Pecan

Biscotti - Traditional Anise & Butterscotch Pecan

My parents love Biscotti, but for some reason this was never a cookie that I remember my mom or dad making. My Nanny used to make them and I could never appreciate them since I had not yet developed a coffee addiction and did I understand the deliciousness of hard cookies and a hot beverage.

After a trip to 9th Street in South Philly last weekend and a Biscotti purchase from our favorite pastry shop Isgro's, I decided I should just make my own especially since there are about 6 different recipes between both of my grandmothers.

The recipe I used for these was my Grandmom Rose's. There were only ingredient amounts and these were the instructions: "mix" and "pour into oblong pan and bake". Luckily I had a little knowledge of how to bake these so here is her recipe with my instructions. I also got creative with the flavorings since 'tis the season for Anisette and Amaretto in just about EVERYTHING! I chose to make a less traditional Biscotti and added Butterscotch and Pecans. That recipes below as well as a recipe with a few teaks to make these a bit healthier.

Biscotti

3 3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 heaping tablespoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon Anisetta (or Anise Extract)
1 Tablespoon Anise Seeds
1 Cup Melted Butter or margarine
5 Eggs

Beat butter and sugar
Add eggs one at a time mixing after each addition
Add Anisetta and mix well
Mix flour and baking powder in a medium sized bowl
Gradually add flour mixture to liquid ingredients
Once well blended stir in Anise seeds

Line a cookie sheet with parchment and pour batter into a loaf shape
Batter is a bit sticky so it can be difficult. Just make as close to an oval shape as possible about 1"- 1 1/2" thick depending on how large you would like your Biscotti.

Bake in Preheated oven 325 degrees for about 25 minutes (I baked at 300 degrees on Convection Setting).
You may need to add more time if the center is too soft.

Remove from oven and allow to cool. Then cut into strips. These strips will be long so I like to cut them in half.

Optional: Turn oven up to 400 degrees (I did 425 on convection setting to speed up the process). Return strips to oven and toast until golden brown.

I leave them out overnight to dry them out a little more since we like them crunchier.

Butterscotch Pecan Biscotti

3 3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 heaping tablespoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Butterscotch Baking Chips
3/4 Cup Pecans (Crushed)
1 Cup Melted Butter or Margarine
5 Eggs

Beat butter and sugar
Add eggs one at a time mixing after each addition
Add vanilla and mix well
Mix flour and baking powder in a medium sized bowl
Gradually add flour mixture to liquid ingredients
Once well blended stir in Butterscotch Chips and Pecans

Line a cookie sheet with parchment and pour batter into a loaf shape
Batter is a bit sticky so it can be difficult. Just make as close to an oval shape as possible about 1"- 1 1/2" thick depending on how large you would like your Biscotti.

Bake in Preheated oven 325 degrees for about 25 minutes (I baked at 300 degrees on Convection Setting).
You may need to add more time if the center is too soft.

Remove from oven and allow to cool. Then cut into strips. These strips will be long so I like to cut them in half.

Optional: Turn oven up to 400 degrees. Return strips to oven and and toast until golden brown.

 I leave them out overnight to dry them out a little more since we like them crunchier.

Healthier Biscotti

3 3/4 cup whole wheat flour (or you can break up into 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 white)
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 heaping tablespoon of baking powder
1 Cup Melted (I Can't Believe It's Not Butter for Baking or Smart Balance Light for Baking)
1 1/4 Cup Egg Beaters or other Egg Substitute
1 teaspoon Anisetta (or Anise Extract)
1 Tablespoon Aniseseeds

If you are looking for less traditional you can pretty much add anything you'd like to this recipe as well as the ones above: almond extract, dark chocolate chips and slivered almonds or dried cranberries white chocolate chips and vanilla extract. Get creative, and share your add-ins!

These cookies are great for sharing! You can purchase large mugs at your local dollar store as well as some treat bags or food wrapping. Full the mug with Biscotti (or other cookies) and wrap as desired. You can even stick a Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks Gift Card in with the cookies and you have a fun, creative gift card holder! Put a few Biscotti in a treat bag and you have a great stocking stuffer!

Now that my holiday baking is in full-swing and we are hosting a multi-course traditional Christmas Dinner these blogs will probably be coming rapid fire!

Buon Appetito!