More recipes: Italian biscuits

Cafe Society
1

I don’t what these are called, so I find it hard to look for a recipe. I do know what they’re NOT, namely amaretti biscuits (or at least not what is sold as amaretti biscuits here in Ireland). What I am looking for also involves almonds I think, but these are:

  • quite light on the inside with a brown outside;
  • a flat D-shape which looks like they slice them from a roll;
  • quite hard;
  • not terrifically sweet (i.e. not a sweet as amaretti biscuits);
  • often found in fancy coffee houses in England and Ireland and sold individually wrapped for a ludricous amount of money.

Does anyone know how to make these? I would also just be happy if someone could tell me what they are called so I can look for the recipe myself.

Thanks

2

Sounds like biscotti to me. These are made from a soft loaf of dough that has been baked, sliced and then returnede to the oven for a final toasting and drying out. Hence the name, biscotti means cooked twice. Similar to the German zweiback. Traditional flavors are almond and hazelnut. They last a long time, are low in fat and were meant to be dunked in a glass of wine or cup of coffee. My grandmother’s were good, but I preferred the commercial ones. Enjoy.

3

Sounds like biscotti to me, too. Biscotti is one of life’s simple pleasures, and rather easy to make:

from old thread:

1/2 C. butter
3/4-1 C. sugar
1/2 t. salt
2 eggs
2 C. flour
2 t. baking powder
2 t. almond extract*
2 Tbl Amaretto
3/4 C. toasted slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 325 F. Cream butter, sugar and salt. Add eggs. Fold in flour and baking powder, then the flavorings. Add nuts to dough mixture

Divide dough into 3 parts and form each portion into loaves about 3X9 inches and about 3/4 inch thick.

Back on ungreased sheet about 25 minutes, or until brown.

Remove from oven and cut on the digonal into 3/4-inch wide strips. Turn to other side and bake an additional 5 minutes.

*Anise Flavoring, Dark Rum or Frangelico can be substituted for almond extract. I usually use homemade vanilla extract that I make with a vanilla bean and Frangelico or Amaretto.