Featured Recipe
Vanilla Mocha Biscotti Remix

By Kate
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Crunchy twice-baked cookies with a punch of coffee and vanilla scent. Replaced sugar with brown sugar for a deeper caramel note. Used whole wheat flour and almond butter swapping out part of butter. Shifts the texture, nutty and a bit chewy in spots. Mocha hints come from espresso powder instead of brewed coffee, sharper aroma. Chocolate drizzle optional but adds bite. Baking split into two sessions, watch for golden edges, listen for crisp cracks. Let cool fully between steps, no rush. Store airtight, they hold crisp for weeks. Watch dough consistency; should be sugar-cookie like but firmer. Perfect for dunking in morning brews or late-night nibbling.
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Prep:
20 min
Cook:
40 min
Total:
60 min
Serves:
20 servings
cookies
baking
Italian-American
Introduction
Not your standard biscotti. Brown sugar deepens the sweetness with molasses undertones instead of plain white sugar. Whole wheat adds bite and rustic texture. Almond butter enriches fat content for chew amid crunch. Espresso powder punches more focused coffee aroma over liquid coffee which can liquidize dough. No fluff here; mixing drives gluten just enough for shape and snap. Twice baked till cracks form and edges bloom golden. Rough edges. Dark chocolate drizzle suggested for bitterness and visual contrast. Great dunkers for morning coffee, or nibble any time. Keep your eye on tactile changes through baking; rely on sight and feel rather than timer alone. Experience matters.
Ingredients
About the ingredients
Brown sugar is key here for complexity; white sugar will work but yields lighter flavor. Espresso powder ups coffee strength without watering dough — instant coffee can substitute. Mixing almond butter with butter balances moisture and flavor; if nut allergy, swap almond butter for peanut butter or all butter with slight recipe tweaking. Whole wheat flour adds density; sift well to avoid lumps. If unavailable, use all-purpose but texture softens. Eggs bind and hydrate; room temp helps blend. Baking powder must be fresh for lift. Salt brings out sweetness; kosher or sea salt preferred for purity. Chocolate drizzle is optional but recommended for pairing rich bitterness with baked sweetness.
Method
Technique Tips
Start by properly creaming fats and sugars; over-creaming makes dough crumbly and dry. Folding in flour in batches prevents dense dough and tough biscotti. Look for dough firm, sugar cookie - not sticky, no loose flour visible. Shaping logs evenly avoids uneven baking - compact and smooth surface counts. Initial bake firms logs but leaves interior slightly soft; don’t skip cooling before slicing or they’ll crumble. Cutting with serrated knife reduces crumbling. Lay slices spaced on sheet for second bake; flips ensure even browning. Listen for snapping sound to confirm crispness; underbaking leads to soggy biscotti that won’t store well. Let cool fully to stop cooking. Chocolate melt needs care with no water contact; drizzle immediately before set. Store airtight to lock crispness. Reheat gently if softened.
Chef's Notes
- 💡 Cream fats right. Don’t beat too long. Grainy texture is key. Over-beating leads to dry dough. Mix till just combined; feel should be grainy.
- 💡 Dough consistency matters. Firm but pliable, sugar-cookie like. Divide evenly for shape. Logs need to hold but yield. Press to flatten slightly.
- 💡 Watch the bake. Edges should blush, center can spring back. Cool logs fully before slicing. 20 minutes minimum. Soft inside but shaped right.
- 💡 Cut logs with serrated knife for clean edges. Space slices on sheet. This promotes crispness and even baking. Gaps are crucial.
- 💡 Chocolate drizzle? Melt carefully. No water contact. Drizzle on before setting fully. Adds bite. Great contrast with sweetness.
Kitchen Wisdom
What if dough is too sticky?
Add a tablespoon of flour. Mix slowly. Should become firmer. No loose flour. Adjust accordingly.
Why are my biscotti soggy?
Tombake longer. Listen for crisp cracks. Need even browning. Cool completely before storing.
Can I use regular flour?
Sure, but texture changes. Softer. Might need to adjust moisture. Whole wheat adds density.
How to store biscotti properly?
Airtight container. Room temp okay. If soft, re-toast them briefly at low heat but watch closely.



