Why hello lovely friends! How are you enjoying your day so far?
It is the second week of school here in Idaho, and later this week a very sweet friend is hosting a back to school brunch for our Mom friends. I’m so excited to go. As much as possible we try to get together one morning per week for coffee. I can’t stress enough how much making time for friends, even just 1 hour per week, impacts your overall well-being and happiness. It is important for us Moms to have some adult time too.
Over the past few years it’s amazing how our get-togethers have changed. It started out as a play date with lots of kids, and then moved to play dates with just the little ones while the big kids were in school. Now on select mornings all our littlest ones are in preschool and it is just the Moms. I must say it is so much quieter and a lot less cleanup without the kids. Don’t get me wrong, we all do miss them like crazy, but the peacefulness is really nice ;-)
When I was thinking about what to bring to the brunch, I wanted it to be something I could make ahead of time that would hold up really well. Biscotti are the perfect morning treat because it goes beautifully with coffee or tea, and it stores amazingly well in an airtight container, up to 2 weeks. The firm and crunchy texture means it travels perfectly too. I’ll be taking my kids to school before heading over to the brunch, so this is something I won’t have to worry about sitting in the car.
Although it is merely the beginning of September, keep this recipe in mind for the holidays. I know it’s early and I said the word already, but if you’re planning on making homemade gifts it’s so much easier to plan out what you’re doing ahead of time. Biscotti makes a wonderful gift because it looks stunning in a pretty tin, it’s easier to make than you’d think, and it stores and travels beautifully too! Add a lovely note and you’ll be sure to touch someone’s heart the way only handmade gifts can do.
It is the second week of school here in Idaho, and later this week a very sweet friend is hosting a back to school brunch for our Mom friends. I’m so excited to go. As much as possible we try to get together one morning per week for coffee. I can’t stress enough how much making time for friends, even just 1 hour per week, impacts your overall well-being and happiness. It is important for us Moms to have some adult time too.
Over the past few years it’s amazing how our get-togethers have changed. It started out as a play date with lots of kids, and then moved to play dates with just the little ones while the big kids were in school. Now on select mornings all our littlest ones are in preschool and it is just the Moms. I must say it is so much quieter and a lot less cleanup without the kids. Don’t get me wrong, we all do miss them like crazy, but the peacefulness is really nice ;-)
When I was thinking about what to bring to the brunch, I wanted it to be something I could make ahead of time that would hold up really well. Biscotti are the perfect morning treat because it goes beautifully with coffee or tea, and it stores amazingly well in an airtight container, up to 2 weeks. The firm and crunchy texture means it travels perfectly too. I’ll be taking my kids to school before heading over to the brunch, so this is something I won’t have to worry about sitting in the car.
Although it is merely the beginning of September, keep this recipe in mind for the holidays. I know it’s early and I said the word already, but if you’re planning on making homemade gifts it’s so much easier to plan out what you’re doing ahead of time. Biscotti makes a wonderful gift because it looks stunning in a pretty tin, it’s easier to make than you’d think, and it stores and travels beautifully too! Add a lovely note and you’ll be sure to touch someone’s heart the way only handmade gifts can do.
Almond Biscotti with Chocolate Drizzle
| Yields: 1.5 dozen, 18 biscotti Ingredients: ¾ cup sliced almonds 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour ¾ cup almond flour ½ tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. cinnamon, ground ¼ tsp. nutmeg, ground 1/3 cup almond milk 1/3 cup vegan butter substitute, melted (I used Earth Balance Organic Whipped Buttery Spread) 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract ¾ cup cane sugar Chocolate Drizzle: 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips dairy-free, melted |  |
Directions:
To toast the sliced almonds, preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Spread the almonds out evenly on a baking sheet, and bake for 10 minutes. Keep a close eye and set the timer to make sure the almonds do not burn.
When the almonds are done toasting, set them aside and turn up the oven to 350 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl combine dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour, almond flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Whisk together.
Stir the toasted sliced almonds into the dry ingredients.
In a medium size mixing bowl combine wet ingredients: almond milk, melted vegan butter substitute, and vanilla extract. Add the cane sugar, and stir to combine.
In the center of the dry ingredients make a well. Pour the wet ingredients into the well, and gently stir to combine the wet and dry ingredients together, being careful not to over-stir.
Towards the end of the mixing use your hands to gently knead the dough together. Divide dough evenly in half.
Form two logs with the dough and place onto the lined baking sheet.
To toast the sliced almonds, preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Spread the almonds out evenly on a baking sheet, and bake for 10 minutes. Keep a close eye and set the timer to make sure the almonds do not burn.
When the almonds are done toasting, set them aside and turn up the oven to 350 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl combine dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour, almond flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Whisk together.
Stir the toasted sliced almonds into the dry ingredients.
In a medium size mixing bowl combine wet ingredients: almond milk, melted vegan butter substitute, and vanilla extract. Add the cane sugar, and stir to combine.
In the center of the dry ingredients make a well. Pour the wet ingredients into the well, and gently stir to combine the wet and dry ingredients together, being careful not to over-stir.
Towards the end of the mixing use your hands to gently knead the dough together. Divide dough evenly in half.
Form two logs with the dough and place onto the lined baking sheet.
As it turns out, pumpkin beer goes really nicely with baking on fall weekend afternoons.
Using a piece of parchment paper and a rolling pin, gently roll the logs to flatten out slightly. The general size of the logs should be 9 inches x 4 inches x ¾ inch thick.
Score the logs where you will later cut into biscotti slices. Using a knife make light lines about every ¾ inch. This will really help to cut the biscotti when the logs are done baking.
Bake the logs for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Allow the logs to cool for 10 minutes before handling, and turn the oven down to 325 degrees F.
With a serrated knife, using a sawing motion cut the biscotti along the score marks.
Place biscotti cut side up back onto the baking sheet.
Allow the logs to cool for 10 minutes before handling, and turn the oven down to 325 degrees F.
With a serrated knife, using a sawing motion cut the biscotti along the score marks.
Place biscotti cut side up back onto the baking sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes at 325 degrees F.
When the biscotti are cool enough to handle move them to a cooling rack, with a tray or parchment paper underneath to catch chocolate drippings.
When the biscotti are cool enough to handle move them to a cooling rack, with a tray or parchment paper underneath to catch chocolate drippings.
In a double broiler, or in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds, melt chocolate chips.
Drizzle the melted chocolate over the biscotti. You can do this one of two ways; either using a spoon, or make a paper cone with parchment paper and add melted chocolate to the cone to spread across the biscotti.
Allow the biscotti to cool, and the melted chocolate to firm up.
When the biscotti are completely cooled and the chocolate is firm to the touch, store in an airtight container.
When the biscotti are completely cooled and the chocolate is firm to the touch, store in an airtight container.
Biscotti are the perfect treat for a cool morning with hot tea or coffee!
To Print, Email, or Text recipe click here.
To Print, Email, or Text recipe click here.
Favorite Find:
My gorgeous sister let me know about these marvelous candles by WoodWick.
What is so cool about them is that they are made with a wooden wick to create the sound of a crackling fire. Not only does your house smell great, you can hear the cracking sound of your candle, it’s pretty awesome for a fall or winter’s night. I’m really enjoying the trilogy candle with the scent combination of Cinnamon Chai, Ground Cinnamon and Spiced Rum right now.
Sending crunchy bites of love your way,
Wendy Irene
Sending crunchy bites of love your way,
Wendy Irene
