Bittersweet Chocolate Biscotti Recipes

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, cayenne, cinnamon, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using an electric mixer, beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Add bittersweet chocolate and beat until combined.
• Divide dough in half and transfer to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Form each half into a 2 1/2-inch-wide, 3/4-inch-tall log. Bake until dough is firm but gives slightly when pressed, 20 to 25 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through. Let cool on sheet on a wire rack, 20 minutes.
• With a serrated knife, cut logs into 1/4-inch slices on the diagonal and arrange, cut side down, on two parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets. Bake until biscotti are crisp and golden, about 15 minutes, rotating sheets and flipping biscotti halfway through. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.

DARK CHOCOLATE ORANGE BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. (Always recommended for cookies.) Set aside.
• Whisk the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and orange zest together in a large bowl until combined. Using a pastry cutter or 2 forks, cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in the walnuts. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, orange juice, oil, and vanilla extract together. Pour into the flour/butter mixture and gently mix together until everything is just barely moistened.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and with floured hands, knead lightly until the dough is soft and slightly sticky, about 8-10 times. If it's uncontrollably sticky, knead 1-2 more Tablespoon(s) of flour into the dough. Divide the dough in two and place each half onto a baking sheet. Shape each half into an 8×4-inch long rectangle, patting down until each is about 1/2 inch thick. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the top and sides of each biscotti slab with egg wash.
• Bake for 25-26 minutes, or until the top and sides of the biscotti slabs are lightly browned. Remove from the oven, but do not turn off the heat. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Once the slabs are cool enough to handle, cut each into 1 inch thick slices. Set slices cut sides upright, ¼ inch apart, on the baking sheets. Return to the oven to continue baking for 8 minutes. Turn biscotti over and bake other side for 8 minutes. The cookies will be slightly soft in the centers with harder edges. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before dipping in chocolate. The biscotti becomes crunchy as it cools. Save the baking sheets for the next step.
• Melt the chopped chocolate in a double boiler or (carefully!) use the microwave. For the microwave, place the chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl. Melt in 15 second increments, stirring after each increment until completely melted and smooth. Dip each biscotti cookie in the melted chocolate and place back onto the baking sheets. Sprinkle with any additional orange zest if desired. Allow chocolate to set in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
• Biscotti will stay fresh covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE HOLIDAY BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, dust with 1/4 cup flour and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, butter, orange marmalade, orange zest and salt. Using a handheld mixer, beat on medium speed until the mixture is smooth, light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the remaining 2 cups of flour, cocoa powder and baking powder and beat until just blended. Using a rubber spatula, stir in the chocolate chips.
• On the prepared pan, form the dough into a 3-by-13-inch log. (Using a small offset spatula or dusting your hands with flour will help keep the dough from sticking to your hands.) Bake until the log is firm to the touch, cracked on top and looks dry, about 35 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes on the tray.
• Place the log on a cutting board and using a serrated knife, cut the log on a diagonal into 1/2-inch slices. Arrange the biscotti cut-side down on the tray. Bake until they are a dry and fragrant, an additional 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the biscotti to a cooling rack and cool completely.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Lightly grease a cookie sheet and set aside. Beat the butter in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in the eggs and cocoa powder. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour, the hazelnuts, and 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate with a wooden spoon.
• Divide the dough in half. Shape each portion into a 9" long roll. Place rolls 4 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet; slightly flatten each roll to 2 inches wide.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on cookie sheet for about 45 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325*F.
• Cut each roll diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices, slicing carefully with a serrated knife. Place slices, cut sides down, on cookie sheet.
• Bake in 325*F oven for 8 minutes. Carefully turn slices over and bake for 7-9 more minutes or until dry and crisp. Move to wire racks and let cool, about 1 hour.
• Makes 2 dozen.
• Microwave chopped chocolate and shortening in a small microwave-safe bowl on 50 percent power (medium) for 1 to 2 minutes or until melted, stirring twice(or you can melt in a small saucepan on the stovetop, just stir and watch carefully). Dip one end of each cookie into melted chocolate; let excess drip back into bowl. Place cookies on waxed paper; let sit until set.
• *Note: To toast nuts, spread them in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake in a preheated 375*F oven for 4-5 minutes or until nuts are slightly golden brown, stirring once or twice. Wrap warm nuts in a clean kitchen towel. Rub nuts in towel to remove any loose skins; cool completely. Chop nuts and set aside.
• To Store: Place cookies in layers separated by pieces of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies, if frozen, before serving.

HAZELNUT BISCOTTI WITH BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 baking sheets with the butter. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Place 2 of the eggs, the egg yolks, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl. Mix until blended. Gradually add the flour mixture to the egg mixture until blended. Fold in the chocolate and hazelnuts.
• Sprinkle a handful of flour onto a smooth surface. Transfer the dough onto the floured surface. Knead until smooth, about 3 minutes.
• Shape the dough into 2 logs, 2 1/2 inches wide and 12 inches long. Place one log on each cookie sheet. Brush the top of each log with the lightly beaten egg. Bake for 35 minutes at 350 degrees. Take them out of the oven. Cut the logs into 1-inch slices crosswise and lay them cut side down on the baking sheet. Return them to a 325-degree oven and continue baking for another 15 minutes. Cool on racks.

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour an 8-inch springform pan.
• Place a large heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, making sure the water doesn't touch the bowl. Put the butter and chocolate in the bowl, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate melts. Take the bowl off the heat and set aside.
• First, whisk the sugar into the chocolate mixture, then whisk in the eggs, coffee, and salt, whisking until the mixture is combined and smooth. Sprinkle on the flour and fold it in with a rubber spatula until it's incorporated.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and place it on a sheet pan. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes (see Cook's Note), until the top puffs up and cracks and the cake doesn't wobble when you jiggle the pan. (A toothpick will not come out clean.) Remove from the oven and cool completely on a baking rack. The cake will deflate as it cools. Run a small knife around the cake and remove the sides of the pan. Cut the cake in wedges and serve warm or at room temperature with sweetened whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or crème fraîche.

UNION SQUARE CAFE'S CHOCOLATE BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12- by 17-inch baking sheet with parchment paper or nonstick liner. Sift together the flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda; set aside.
• Using a heavy-duty electric mixer, cream together the brown sugar, granulated sugar and butter for 3 to 5 minutes at medium speed. Add vanilla extract and espresso. Mix for 10 seconds. Add eggs one at a time, mixing for 10 seconds at medium-low speed after each addition. Add sifted flour mixture and mix at low speed until dough comes together, 1 to 2 minutes. Add chocolate chips and mix just until chips are evenly incorporated, 15 to 20 seconds.
• Transfer dough to a work surface and divide in two, shaping into balls. Form each ball into a log 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide. Transfer logs to prepared baking sheet and flatten slightly. Brush tops of logs with egg wash and sprinkle each log with 1 tablespoon raw sugar. Bake until biscotti have spread, have a few cracks and bounce back slightly when pressed with fingertips, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut logs into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch slices. Place each slice with a cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or nonstick liner. Bake until firm, crisp and slightly dry, about 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or freeze for up to three months.

NUTELLA® BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Position racks in top and bottom third of the oven. Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.
• Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
• Beat eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on medium-high speed until pale and frothy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add sugar and mix until pale and thickened, about 2 minutes. Beat in melted butter and vanilla on low speed until combined.
• Add chocolate-hazelnut spread and beat on low speed, scraping down sides and bottom of bowl as needed, until just combined, about 30 seconds. Gradually mix in flour mixture and on low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds. Fold in chocolate chips and hazelnuts until just combined.
• Divide dough in half. Place each half in the center of a prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray your hands with cooking spray and shape each piece of dough into a 3/4-x2 1/2-x13-inch log.
• Bake in the preheated oven, rotating cookie sheets halfway through, until set and firm to the touch, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Carefully transfer one log to a cutting board. Use a serrated knife to cut 1/2-inch slices on the diagonal. Transfer slices back to the baking sheet in an even layer, with cut-sides up. Repeat with the remaining log.
• Bake in the preheated oven until dried, about 30 minutes, flipping cookies and rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer biscotti to a wire rack and let cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, microwave candy wafers in a medium microwave-safe bowl on high power for 30 seconds, then stir. Continue microwaving and stirring in 30-second increments, until melted and smooth, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes total. Drizzle melted chocolate over one end of each biscotti.
• Refrigerate, uncovered, until chocolate hardens, about 15 minutes.