This year, I wanted to create "Baby It's Cold Outside" themed gift baskets for my family- my thought was everyone could enjoy an evening indoors with all they would need to relax.
My little Ms helped to create the homemade GF dog biscuits & stuffed bones for their canine cousins...
...and I began making "candy cane" peppermint foot soaks,
...and then hot chocolate sticks with homemade marshmallows & ganache:)
I also chose to make biscotti to accompany the hot chocolate sticks...
...and ssshhh, they're gluten free!
FYI, they're so good, "Ricky" couldn't even tell as he was scarfing one down:)
Gluten Free Almond Biscotti- adapted from Cooks Illustrated
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups (6 1/4 ounces) whole almonds, lightly toasted
- 1 3/4 cups (8 3/4 ounces) gluten free flour (I used Namaste)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, plus 1 large white beaten with pinch salt
- 1 cup (7 ounces) sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Vegetable oil spray
The almonds will continue to toast while the biscotti bake, so toast the nuts only until they are just fragrant.
(I also made these with 2 tsp vanilla, omitting the almond extract- delish!)
Instructions
1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven
to 325 degrees. Using ruler and pencil, draw two 8 by 3-inch
rectangles, spaced 4 inches apart, on piece of parchment paper. Grease
baking sheet and place parchment on it, ink side down.
2. Pulse 1 cup almonds in food processor until
coarsely chopped, 8 to 10 pulses; transfer to bowl and set aside.
Process remaining 1/4 cup almonds in food processor until finely ground,
about 45 seconds. Add flour, baking powder, and salt; process to
combine, about 15 seconds. Transfer flour mixture to second bowl.
Process 2 eggs in now empty food processor until lightened in color and
almost doubled in volume, about 3 minutes. With processor running,
slowly add sugar until thoroughly combined, about 15 seconds. Add melted
butter, almond extract, and vanilla and process until combined, about
10 seconds. Transfer egg mixture to medium bowl. Sprinkle half of flour
mixture over egg mixture and, using spatula, gently fold until just
combined. Add remaining flour mixture and chopped almonds and gently
fold until just combined.
3. Divide batter in half. Using floured hands, form
each half into 8 by 3-inch rectangle, using lines on parchment as guide.
Spray each loaf lightly with oil spray. Using rubber spatula lightly
coated with oil spray, smooth tops and sides of rectangles. Gently brush
tops of loaves with egg white wash. Bake until loaves are golden and
just beginning to crack on top, 25 to 35 minutes, rotating pan halfway
through baking.
4. Let loaves cool on baking sheet for 30 minutes.
Transfer loaves to cutting board. Using serrated knife, slice each loaf
on slight bias into approx 1/2-inch-thick slices. Lay slices, cut side down,
about 1/4 inch apart on wire rack set in rimmed baking sheet. Bake until
crisp and golden brown on both sides, about 35-45 minutes, flipping slices
halfway through baking. Let cool completely before serving.
Biscotti
can be stored in airtight container for up to 1 month.
(Ribbon & tags from Stampin' Up!)
These are my new fave GF treat & since they're not too sweet & contain no gluten, they're virtually guilt free!
Enjoy!
Tiffany
