Craving a delightful and crunchy treat? This Spiced Gingerbread Pecan Biscotti recipe offers a perfect blend of warm spices and nutty goodness, making it an ideal companion for your coffee or tea. You’ll love how easy it is to make these delightful, twice-baked cookies that are perfect for sharing or savoring yourself.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions:
- All-Purpose Flour: You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend if needed.
- Molasses: Use unsulphured molasses for the best flavor.
- Pecans: Walnuts or almonds can be substituted for a different nutty flavor in this Biscotti Recipes variation.
- Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg are essential for that gingerbread taste.
Ingredients:
Main:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Spices:
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
How Much Time Will You Need?
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 24 pieces
- Tools Needed: Mixing bowls, baking sheets, parchment paper, wire rack.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Set this mixture aside. This ensures all the dry ingredients and spices are evenly distributed for your Biscotti Recipes.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This creates the base for your rich gingerbread flavor.
3. Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated. Stir in the molasses and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chopped pecans. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
5. Form the Logs
Divide the dough in half. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, shape each half into a log, approximately 10-12 inches long and 2 inches wide. Leave space between the logs.
6. First Bake
Bake the logs in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until lightly golden and firm to the touch. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.
7. Slice the Biscotti
Carefully transfer the warm logs to a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, slice each log diagonally into ½-inch thick pieces. This gives you the classic biscotti shape.
8. Second Bake
Lay the sliced biscotti pieces back on the baking sheet, cut side down. Return them to the oven and bake for another 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crisp. This twice-baking step is key to all classic Biscotti Recipes.
9. Cool and Enjoy
Transfer the baked biscotti to a wire rack to cool completely. They will become even crispier as they cool.
Variation Ideas:
- Orange Zest: Add 1 tablespoon of orange zest to the dough for a citrusy hint.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt white or dark chocolate and drizzle it over the cooled biscotti.
- Crystalized Ginger: Mix in ¼ cup of finely chopped crystalized ginger for an extra spicy kick.
Storage Instructions:
Store your Spiced Gingerbread Pecan Biscotti in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 weeks. They will remain crisp and delicious. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
- Why is my biscotti not crunchy? You might need to bake it longer during the second bake to achieve that signature crunch.
- Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the dough, form the logs, and refrigerate them overnight before the first bake.
- What if I don’t have pecans? You can easily substitute with walnuts or almonds in this Biscotti Recipes variation.
- How do I prevent my biscotti from breaking when slicing? Ensure the logs cool slightly before slicing, and use a sharp serrated knife.
- Can I add frosting to biscotti? While traditional biscotti isn’t frosted, a simple glaze or chocolate drizzle works wonderfully.
- What is the best way to enjoy biscotti? Biscotti is perfect for dipping into coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
