When we visited M’s parents during Thanksgiving, I got a chance to know M’s Grammy’s sister, Aunt Thelma. She was a famous Broadway actor back in the 1930s. I googled Thelma Altman and found a very old picture of her. She is a very sophistocated woman and it did not take very long for us to for a rapport. When she learned that I love to cook she decided to gift me a KitchenAid stand mixer.
A few days back I made biscotti for the holidays, but since we got the stand mixer my husband has been asking me to make it again. They are very simple to make. Last time I added dark chocolate to my saffron biscottis. This time I decided to add cranberries and pistachios instead. They are very low in calorie and best served with tea/coffee. We love them with a hint of saffron and orange zest. They are also very good as a gift.
Recipe for Cranberry Saffron Biscottis
1. Preheat the oven to 325F. In a bowl whisk flour, baking powder, salt and set aside. In a large bowl, using egg-beaters beat butter, sugar, orange zest and saffron until they are pale and fluffy. Add one egg at a time and beat well. Add milk and mix.
2. Add dry ingredients in batches. Mix until combined. Remember, your dough will be very thick. Add cranberry and pistachio and integrate well in the dough.
3. Transfer the dough to a work surface and quarter it.
4. Transfer each quarter to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and form a 12″x1″ flattened log.
5. I put two logs in each sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes until they are brown around the edges.
6. Transfer baking sheets to a wire rack and cool for 10-15 minutes.
7. Reduce the oven temperature to 300F.
8. In a cutting board, slice the logs into 1″ thick slices with a serrated knife.
9. Return slices to the baking sheet with cut sides up and bake for 15 minutes.
10. After 15 minutes take it out, turn and bake the other side for 10-12 more minutes.
11. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Note:
1. Butter should be softened, not melted.
2. I prefer my biscotti very crunchy which is why I baked for 15 minutes on each side. If you want it a little soft, you can bake it for 10 minutes.
