Chocolate Macadamia Nut Biscotti

Biscotti makes for a perfect snack or accompaniment to your morning coffee. What many people do not know is that biscotti is very simple to make, it just looks a bit intimidating.  Biscotti are "twice-baked" cookies baked in the oven twice at different temperatures.  Again, sounds complicated but in reality, it is very easy!  So stop buying those expensive individually wrapped biscotti from Costco or Starbucks and start baking your own!  I have provided a more modern take on a traditional biscotti recipe.  It is customary to incorporate almonds or almond extract in traditional biscotti recipes but I found that my friends and family liked the batches without the almond extract even more.  I hope you enjoy this recipe as well as the warmer weather in Chicago! :)   

Ingredients: 

• 1/4 cup light olive oil
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 eggs 
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup macadamia nuts, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300-degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. 
2. In a large bowl, mix olive oil and sugar until well blended. 
3. Beat in vanilla and eggs. 
4. In a clean bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl.  Gradually stir into the egg mixture.  
5. Fold in chocolate chips. 
6. Fold in macadamia nuts. 
7. Divide dough in half. 
8. Form two logs on a baking sheet.  If the dough becomes too sticky to handle, wet your hands with cool water to easily handle the dough. 
9. Bake for 35 minutes until logs are light brown. 
10. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. 
11. Reduce heat to 275-degrees. 
12. Slice logs into 3/4 inch thick slices. 
13. Lay slices on their sides onto baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until dry. 
14. Enjoy! 

Chop macadamia nuts. 

Add dry ingredients into a bowl. 

Mix well.

In a clean bowl, add sugar. 

Measure olive oil. 

Add eggs and olive oil to sugar. 

Mix well. 

Gradually add flour. 

Add remaining flour and mix. 

Fold in chocolate chips. 

Add macadamia nuts and mix. 

Take half of the dough onto the baking sheet. 

Form into a log. 

Repeat with other half of dough. 

Dip fingers into cold water if the dough gets too difficult to handle. 

I make the logs about a 1/2 inch in thickness. 

Bake for 35 minutes in a 300-degree oven. 

Reduce oven temperature to 275-degrees. 

Slice.

Place on baking sheet, sliced-side up.  Bake again for 10 minutes. 

Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea. 

I hope you're all enjoying the sunshine in Chicago! 

Happy baking. 

xoxo

Grace