Almond Biscotti

Biscotti are a classic Italian treat; made either sweet and loaded with fruits and nuts and drizzled with chocolate, or made not-so-sweet and flavored with extracts such as anise or almond. Dipped in a cup of coffee or tea, they’re the perfect crunchy sweet to enjoy any time of the day. I love to make biscotti when I want a cookie but don’t want to shape and bake 3 or 4 trays worth. Biscotti bake up quickly and are delicious even before the second baking which gives them their characteristic crunch.
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4
Difficulty
easy
Season
desserts
Ingredients
Directions
- 1
Let the vegan butter come to room temperature in a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix the water and flaxseed and let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens.
- 2
Heat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- 3
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
- 4
Add the sugar and almond extract to the vegan butter, and mix well with a fork until the mixture is creamy. Add the flaxseed mixture and mix again until completely blended. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. The dough will look shaggy. Add the almonds and mix again. It will help to use your hands to form the dough into a ball.
- 5
Line your baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Divide the dough into 2 equal portions. Put them on the baking sheet side by side, and use your hands to shape each half into a rectangle approximately 9” x 3” x ½”. Don’t let the sides touch; you may have to position them starting at opposite diagonal corners of the baking sheet. If the dough is too sticky, put it in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes before shaping again.
- 6
Bake the biscotti for 25 minutes. Let them cool on a cutting board, then with a very sharp long knife, slice the biscotti crosswise into 1” thick slices. Heat your oven to 325℉, put the biscotti back onto the baking sheet, and bake the biscotti for 12 minutes. Turn off the oven and let the biscotti cool in the oven.
- 7
When the biscotti are cool enough to handle, melt the chocolate in a microwave or in the top of a double boiler. Arrange the biscotti side to side on the parchment paper and use a spoon to drizzle the melted chocolate over the biscotti. Let the chocolate set before storing the biscotti in an airtight container.
- 8
Notes: I find a silicone mat easier to work with than parchment paper because the mat doesn’t slide around on the baking sheet when you’re forming the biscotti.
Find These Ingredients at Nature's Market
303 Center Hill Rd, Manchester Center, VT • Mon-Sat 9-6, Sun Closed
