CHOCOLATE, CHERRY AND CHILE BISCOTTI

Chocolate, Cherry and Chile Biscotti image

Provided by Nana Lee

Categories Dessert

Time 1h40m

Yield 10-14 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

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
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 ounces coarsely chopped semisweet chocolate or 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup dried cherries

Steps:

Position the racks in the top third and center of the oven and preheat to 350º F.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
Reprinted from Back to the Table: The Reunion of Food and Family by Art Smith.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 356.7, Fat 18.8, SaturatedFat 9.3, Cholesterol 66.7, Sodium 175.8, Carbohydrate 44.7, Fiber 2.7, Sugar 20.5, Protein 6.2