Quaresimoli Italian Almond Biscotti Recipes

ALMOND BISCOTTI: QUARESIMALE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put brown sugar, white sugar, flour, cinnamon, baking powder, butter, and almonds in a large mixing bowl. With mixer on low speed, add beaten eggs and vanilla. Mix just until dough holds together.
• Put dough on a floured surface. Cut in half. Roll each piece into a log. Place on parchment-lined cookie sheet. Flatten each log slightly with palm of the hand. Lightly brush the top of each log with egg wash.
• Bake for 25 minutes or until firm to touch. Remove from oven. Cut dough diagonally into biscotti. For harder biscotti, return to 300-degree F oven until sufficiently dry.

QUARESIMALI (LENTEN ALMOND BISCUITS)

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Toast almonds in jelly roll pan for 10 minutes. Let cool. Grind finely 1/4 of the almonds, mix with 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar and set aside.
• Grind coarsely the remaining 3/4 almonds and set aside. In a large bowl stir together flour, remaining 3/4 cup sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and baking powder. Add the butter and stir until all ingredients are combined.
• Stir in coarsely ground almonds and the 2 of the eggs, then knead the dough in the bowl until all ingredients are combined. Divide dough in half.
• Form each half into a rectangle 15 X 4 inches. Transfer rectangles to baking sheets which have been buttered and floured. Brush rectangles well with 1 egg combined with 2 tablespoons of milk. Sprinkle with reserved almond/sugar mixture. Bake them in the upper third of the oven (375 degrees F - 190 degrees C) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and skewer comes out clean.
• Cut rectangles crosswise into slices 3/4 inch thick. Let stand 15 minutes in the turned-off oven. Transfer to racks and let cool thoroughly.
• Store airtight.

QUARESIMOLI (ITALIAN ALMOND BISCOTTI)

Steps:

• Toast almonds in a jelly roll pan in a pre-heated oven (375*) for 10 minutes. (Don't overcook!) Let them cool.
• In a blender or food processor, grind 1/4 of the almonds with 1/4 cup of sugar and transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
• Stir in the flour, remaining 3/4 cups of sugar, cinnamon and the baking powder. Add the butter and stir mixture until it is combined.
• Stir in the remaining almonds, chopped coarse and the eggs. Knead until it is combined.
• Halve the dough and with floured hands form each half into a 15' x 4" rectangle. Transfer rectangles with spatulas to buttered and floured baking sheet. Brush them with the egg wash (combination of egg and water).
• Bake in upper third of 375* oven for 20--25 minutes.
• Cut into 3/4" slices and let the slices stand in turned off oven for 15 minutes.
• Transfer slices to cooling racks. Let cool and store in airtight containers.