It wouldn’t be Christmas in my house without cakes and cookies filled with the wonderful flavors of cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Most importantly, it wouldn’t smell like Christmas. We love the aroma of warm burnt almonds, gingerbread and lebkuchen so when I saw this recipe for gingerbread biscotti at Joy of Baking I was positive we would like this treat as well. They are described as not overly sweet, with chunks of hazelnuts, lots of sweet and juicy raisins, lovely flecks of rolled oats, just a hint of molasses, and are warmly spiced with ground cinnamon, ginger, and cloves – a recipe with our name on it if there ever was one.
I dipped the cooked and cooled biscotti in melted white chocolate. The rich creaminess of the chocolate and the spiciness of the cookie are a delicious flavor and texture contrast.
Loaves of biscotti dough after the first baking. They are nicely browned and firm to the touch.
The warm loaves are cut into diagonal slices and baked again until they are crisp. The word “Biscotti” (singular Biscotto) originates in Medieval Latin and translates to “twice baked biscuit.”
- ¾ cup (100 grams) hazelnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped (can also use pecans or walnuts)
- 1 cup (100 grams) old fashioned rolled oats
- 1¾ cups (225 grams) all purpose flour
- ¾ cup (160 grams) dark brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup (60 ml) unsulphured molasses (such as Grandma's Molasses)
- 2 tablespoons light olive oil (or corn oil)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (95 grams) dark or golden raisins
- GLAZE (optional)
- ½ cup (55 grams) confectioners sugar (icing or powdered sugar), sifted
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 - 3 tablespoons milk or light cream
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place the oven rack in the center of the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat.
- Place hazelnuts on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until brown and fragrant and the skins are starting to peel. Remove from oven, place the warm hazelnuts in a clean dish towel, roll it up, and let the nuts 'steam' for about five minutes. Then briskly rub the nuts, while still in the towel, to remove most of their skins. Set aside to let the nuts cool and then coarsely chop. (Note: To toast pecans, walnuts, or almonds, bake for about 8 to 10 minutes or until brown and fragrant.)
- In a food processor, process ½ cup of the rolled oats until finely ground.
- In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), combine the ½ cup of finely ground oats, the remaining ½ cup of rolled oats, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and spices.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, molasses, oil, and vanilla extract. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients, and beat until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Mix in the chopped hazelnuts and raisins and beat just until incorporated.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and divide the dough in half. Take each half of dough and form it into a log, about 12 inches long and 3 inches wide. Transfer the logs to the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 3 inches (7.5 cm) apart. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.
- Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F. Transfer the logs to a cutting board and cut into ¾ inch slices, on the diagonal. Place the biscotti, cut side down, on the baking sheet. Bake for about 6-8 minutes, turn slices over, and bake for another 6-8 minutes or until dry and firm. Remove from oven and let cool. Can be stored in an airtight container for several weeks.
- Glaze (optional): In a small bowl stir together the sugar, vanilla extract, and enough milk (cream) to make a smooth, thick, yet pourable glaze. Use a small spoon to drizzle several thin lines of the glaze over each biscotti. Let the biscotti sit at room temperature until the glaze has completely dried.
If you like biscotti nice and crisp leave them in the oven after they have been turned and baked the second 6 minutes. Turn the oven off and leave the tray of cookies in the oven to cool.
Several cookies in a festive cellophane bag make a lovely gift throughout the holiday season. My family loves little gifts like this when they stop by to visit and it’s fun to have something special for friends and neighbors. Christmas is two weeks from today and I’m not anywhere near ready for the big day. Usually gifts are bought and wrapped by the first of December. I’ve put off going to the Mall as long as I can and today I have to face it. Wish me luck!
I seem to be hitting a gingerbread bonanza on my favorite blogs this morning. I’ve made many biscotti but nothing like this. They are beautiful and sound delicious. Now to find hazelnuts!! I broke a cardinal rule yesterday and went shopping with my husband (make that two cardinal rules–we almost never shop together). It was a mob scene but we were able to get the three, non-Christmas, items that we needed and make it home unscathed.
Best,
Bonnie
Bonnie recently posted..A Little Zing for Your Holiday Meals–Spicy Marinated Olives
I can just imagine how good they smell. And taste. They look so festive and delicious, especially dipped in the glaze. Good luck at the Mall.
Merry Christmas!
Carol @There’s Always Thyme to Cook recently posted..Chicken Fajitas
What a great recipe! I make them every year too. I dip and package and give to neighbors, in much the same way you have. They are the perfect coffee and tea cookie!!!!!
Good luck, Cathy! I’m happy to say that my gift buying has been done, wrapped and mailed! I love biscotti and love gingerbread… I know I’d love these cookies. Beautiful pictures!
Karen recently posted..Homemade Stock
I have to agree…the holidays just wouldn’t be the holidays without those warming, comforting smells and flavors! These biscotti sound like perfection to me.
Heather @girlichef recently posted..Caldo Tlalpeño {Garbanzo-Vegetable Soup w/ Smoky Broth}
I’ve got to try this recipe this week Cathy. I love the spicy aroma of Christmas cookies baking. I’m late with my baking as I’m just now starting. I’m also late with my shopping this year, but I’m going to make time for this biscotti!
Lynda recently posted..Apricot Almond Bars
What a great idea..love your packaging and the cup also:) Very very cute and festive~
Monique recently posted..Soul Food #118~And Rudolph~
Gingerbread of any kind is one of my favourites. I’m going to try these for sure as biscotti is another of my favorites!
I love biscotti and these sound like a wonderful version for this time of year, Cathy! I love gingerbread!
I’m glad I got most of my shopping done online already this year. I hate going to the malls when they’re crowded and the lines are long. GOOD LUCK!
Susan recently posted..Ruth’s Barbecue Shrimp
Today, I’m sitting down to plan what I’m making, as Christmas Gifts. I have a great recipe for an Cranberry-Almond Biscotti, from a class I took last year. But now, I think you’ve turned it in a new direction. I happen to adore hazelnuts, and all those fall flavors in this recipe. The final clincher was the white chocolate. Plus, biscotti is so easy to make! You are my baking muse, and you’ve just solved my dilemma of having little time to spend in the kitchen. Bless you!
Foodiewife recently posted..Fluffy Eggnog Pancakes with Vanilla Bean
They look fantastic and will make a fabulous gift! I love gingerbread flavor.
Pat recently posted..A Twilight Walk Along Moonstone Beach
These look so great! I made some ginger biscotti a few years ago but yours look much better….my son is a gingerbread freak…I think i will make these instead of gingerbread people!
Beautiful Cathy!
Linda recently posted..Old Fashioned Apple Pie and other news….
This sounds like the perfect Christmas cookie to me. Thank you for sharing them. I am very excited to see these and will definitely be making them:)
I have not done much in the way of Christmas shopping either …yikes! I am usually almost done by now. I will be out shopping just like you..lol Maybe, we will get some good last-minute buys…I hope:)
Raina recently posted..Candy Bar Cookies
I have never had gingerbread biscotti, but they look excellent!
I did the cookies in the nut molds for a party Sat. Night. Filled them with apricot or chocolate. Time consuming, but fun to make! Do you have those molds, Bavarian Nut Lady? 🙂
Wish I had some of your biscotti!
Kathleen recently posted..Something New~Something Old
Oh yes and you have read my mind! I just made gingerbread macarons and tomorrow is biscotti day! Love your combo of the two to make these perfect holiday gingerbread biscotti!
Jamie recently posted..CHOCOLATE MADELEINES
Looks delicious Cathy and now I know what a biscotti is
Larry recently posted..Texas RV Trip – Heading Home
Your gingerbread biscotti is the perfect gift Cathy. Think I might even skip the mall. Can’t imagine what they might have there that someone would prefer to homemade gingerbread biscotti.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Start your morning off right with this 3 ingredient Cranberry Maple Syrup
Absolutely brilliant, Cathy! What a super recipe and your photos are wonderful. I love the way you’ve packaged them for gifts…such adorable wrapping!
Barbara recently posted..Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies: More Cookies for Christmas
That is a great gift.
I’ve only tried making biscotti once. It didn’t turn out too well.
Ramona recently posted..Good thing
Wonderful flavors – delicious cookies!!
Mary x
mary recently posted..Pear Cupcakes with Maple Cinnamon Frosting
I can almost smell them; they are so beautiful. I have always wanted to make biscotti and these must taste fastastic; love that you dipped them in Chocolate! Percection!
Rita
Oh Cathy… I would love this biscotti. Gingerbread is my favorite!
Pam recently posted..Pork Fried Rice
I’m a huge fan of biscotti and gingerbread sounds perfect for Christmas! What a delicious gift idea too.
renee recently posted..Top of the Muffin To Ya!
Your white chocolate dipped biscotti look fantastic & truly wonderful too! 🙂
Sophie recently posted..Joy Bauer’s Food cures book review & 2 recipes from her new book!
What is it about Xmas that makes us want to break out into exotic food?? Don’t get me wrong – I’m not at all perturbed by this … just askin’!!
Red Nomad OZ recently posted..Giveaway #1 – Journey Jottings Product Pack!
This is a truly different biscotti recipe. I know I will really like them with all the spices and the addition of oatmeal.
Karen Back Journal recently posted..Our Christmas Kitchen Is Filled With Sweet Smells
Beautiful! Your biscotti was delicious. And the kids gobbled it up too. Thanks for sharing with us!!!
i can’t get enough gingerbread this time of year, i just love it! this cookies are gorgeous!
teresa recently posted..Turkey Chickpea Burgers
Love biscotti and this recipe sounds delicious. I definitely need to try it. It would be so good with a pot of tea.
Marilyn recently posted..Gifts for the Holidays
These would make a lovely gift! I am with you on all the beautiful, warm scents of the Season 🙂
Magic of Spice recently posted..What’s for breakfast? Quince Paste, Pear and Delice Cheese Crostini
Biscotti are on my list to make this week only mine are different. However, after looking at yours I can almost smell them baking. I bet they taste awesome! Thanks for sharing. I will definitely be making these very soon.
Vick8i Bensinger recently posted..Homemade Irish Creme Whisky!
My molasses must be darker than yours, I made them and they taste great but look a lot darker.