REC: Candied Orange and Pecan Biscotti
I use my leftover candied orange peel (which I make using the recipe from Better Than Storebought) in this recipe. With biscotti I sometimes do the first bake and then freeze the loaf until I need it then I defrost and do the second bake.
Candied Orange Pecan Biscotti
Bittersweet chunks of candied orange peel and
toasted pecans lend a delicious dimension to
these biscotti.
1 cup Candied Orange Peel (recipe follows)
¾ cup pecans
½ cup butter
¾ cup sugar
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons orange liqueur or orange juice concentrate, thawed
Zest of 1 orange, minced finely
2 cups plus 2 Tablespoons all-purpose or unbleached flour
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
Prepare candied orange peel and set aside.
To prepare biscotti dough, place nuts in a shallow pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
Let cool. In a mixing bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, orange liqueur, and orange zest. In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt and mix in just until blended. Fold in nuts and the Candied Orange Peel. Divide dough in half. Place on a greased and floured baking sheet and form into two logs about 112 inch thick, l 1/2 inches wide and 14 inches long, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Bake in the middle of a preheated 325 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until set and lightly browned. Transfer from the baking sheet to a rack. Let cool 5 minutes. Place on a cutting board. With a serrated knife slice diagonally at a 45 degree angle about 1/2 inch thick.
Place the slices upright on a baking sheet and return to the oven at 300 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes to dry slightly. Let cool on a rack. Store in a tightly covered container.
Makes about 3 ½ to 4 dozen.
Candied Orange Peel
3 oranges (use peel only)
½ cup water
½ cup sugar
To prepare Candied Orange Peel, peel oranges, scoring the peel into 5 or 6 sections to make them equal in size. Place the peel in a saucepan, cover with water and simmer 10 minutes. Drain and let cool. With a grapefruit knife, lift off most of the white pith. In a saucepan combine the water and sugar. Bring to a boil and cook until dissolved. Add peel and let simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Lift peel out onto waxed paper to cool.
Makes about 1 cup candied peel.
From:Biscotti by Lou Seibert Pappas