Lemon Biscotti

Very few things beat a cup of coffee accompanied by biscotti. There are so many different flavors of biscotti available these days. Sometimes though, the most satisfying is simple done well.

Lemon Biscotti


2 1/4 cups/10 ounces/280 grams all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
4 ounces/120 grams butter, unsalted
3/4 cup/6 ounces/170 grams sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons lemon zest


Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.

Line a sheet tray with parchment paper or silpat.

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl and whisk it to distribute the ingredients.

Cream the butter and sugar together for about 3-4 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time. Add in lemon zest, vanilla extract and cinnamon. Be sure to scrape sides of bowl down with a rubber spatula after each addition of egg.
Once the eggs are incorporated, turn the mixer on low speed and slowly pour in the dry ingredients. Mix just until the dough comes together.

Flour a work surface and spatula the dough out of the bowl. Shape the dough into a log that is about 6 inches wide and 18 inches long and place in the ceneter of the lined baking sheet tray.

Bake until golden brown, 35-40 minutes, then set aside to cool for 10 minutes.

Slice the cooled loaves with a serrated knife making 3/4 inch to 1 inch slices.

Place these slices on the baking sheet, cut side down. Bake for another 10 minutes. Turn slices over and bake an additional 10 minutes, until they are lightly golden.

Remove from oven cool completely.

Yield: About 18 biscotti

Brown Sugar Icebox Cookies

I don't remember which magazine I clipped this recipe out of. My best guess is Cooking Light. Anyhow, there is nothing better than be less than twenty minutes away from fresh baked homemade cookies at any given moment. There is always a least one log of these in my freezer at any given time.

Brown Sugar Icebox Cookies
Makes 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-pupose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 salt
• 1/4 cup butter or stick margarine, softened
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg white
• cooking spray

Directions

1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a bowl, and set aside. Beat margarine at medium speed of a mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended. Add vanilla and egg white, and beat well. Add flour mixture, and stir until well-blended. Turn dough out onto wax paper; shape into a 6-inch log. Wrap log in wax paper; freeze 3 hours or up to one month.

2. To serve, preheat oven to 350°.

3. Cut log into 24 (1/4-inch) slices, and place slices 1 inch apart on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool on wire racks.

For more Freezer Friday Recipes, click here.