Christmas Biscotti

Make unique biscotti this Christmas by adding chopped candied cherries, mixed candied fruit and crushed aniseed. These add a brilliant combination of colour, texture and flavour. I always make these beautiful cookies at Christmas time, but feel free to modify the chopped fruit to currants and candied ginger and change the aniseed to equal amounts of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to make it a fall delight.

No ratings yet

Print Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1

Course dessert, snack

Cuisine American, Canadian

Servings

Calories 105 kcal

Equipment

2 baking sheets
hand-held or stand mixer
parchment paper

Ingredients

½ cup butter or substitute margarine
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 egg yolk
2½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon aniseed or substitute ¼ teaspoon of anise extract. If you do not like the flavour of licorice, leave this out
1 cup candied fruit chopped or substitute chopped candied cherries
optional: 1 tablespoon finely shredded orange peel

Egg wash for brushing the tops of the loaves:

1 egg white
1 teaspoon water
1 tablespoon sugar

Instructions

Beat the butter with the electric mixer for about 30 seconds. Add in one cup of the flour, the sugar, whole eggs, egg yolk, baking powder and crushed aniseed.
Beat until thoroughly combined, scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally. Stir in the remaining flour and, if using, orange peel. Stir in the chopped candied fruit.
Divide the dough in half and shape each into a 11"x2"x1" loaf. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Whisk the egg white, water and sugar to make the egg wash. Brush on both loaves.
Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes or until slightly browned. Remove from the oven and then cool on the baking sheet for 1 hour.
Cut each loaf on a diagonal into ½" slices. Place the slices cut side down on the baking sheets and bake for a second time at 325°F for 10-15 minutes. Remove cookies and cool on wire racks.

Video

Notes

For a drier biscotti, after the second bake, do not remove the cookies. Just turn off the oven, open the oven door so that it is ajar. Leave in the oven until cooled completely.

Nutrition

Serving: 1-biscottiCalories: 105kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 1gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 58mgPotassium: 15mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 96IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg

Keyword aniseed, biscotti, candied cherries, candied dried fruit, Christmas, Christmas cookie

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!