Chocolate, Cherry and Chile Biscotti

Nana Lee's Note:

If you like biscotti, expand your palate a bit with these deliciously spicy cookies. Chocolate and chiles are old friends, and the cherries add sweet contrast. Candidates for dipping include full-bodied wines like Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon, port, and espresso, and just plain old coffee, tea or milk!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 40 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter , at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large orange, zest of , grated
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour , plus
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons dried ancho chile powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 ounces coarsely choppedsemisweet chocolate or 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• ½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts
• ½ cup dried cherries

Directions:

1. Position the racks in the top third and center of the oven and preheat to 350º F.
2. Using a hand-held electric mixer set at high speed, beat the butter, sugar, and orange zest in a large bowl until well combined, about 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then the vanilla.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, chili powder, and salt to combine. Using a wooden spoon, gradually beat in the butter mixture. Work in the chocolate, walnuts, and cherries.
4. Divide the dough in half. Using lightly floured hands on a floured work surface, form the dough into two 10 X 2-inch logs. Place the logs on an ungreased large baking sheet, at least 2 inches apart. Bake on the center rack until set and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 20 minutes.
5. Using a serrated knife and a sawing motion, carefully cut the logs into diagonal slices about 1/2 inch wide. Place the slices on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until the undersides of the biscotti are beginning to brown at the edges, about 8 minutes. Turn the biscotti over. Switch the positions of the baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back. Continue baking until lightly browned on the other side, about 8 minutes more.
6. Cool completely on baking sheets. (The biscotti can be prepared up to 1 week ahead, cooled, and tightly covered in an airtight container at room temperature.)
7. Reprinted from Back to the Table: The Reunion of Food and Family by Art Smith.

Reviews

[QueenJeanne56]

Another great tasting biscotti.