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CallaFirestormBW -> RE: Holiday treats (10/18/2008 8:27:30 AM)
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Yeah, I have to post my recipe for the most versatile holiday cookie ever... and one of my very favorites. They're called Biscotti Guifani, and the recipe has to be translated from the Sicilian (since that's what it's in in my grandma's cookbook). These things are -great-, and they're very basic, so you can do just about anything with them, from dipping them in chocolate or icing, to rolling them in sprinkles or (my favorite) sesame seeds or pinon (pine nuts).
4 cups white flour, sifted
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs plus 2 egg yolks
1/4 cup light cream
2 tsp vanilla extract OR 1 tsp almond extract OR 1/2 tsp anise extract and 1/2 tsp ground anise seed
1 lb butter OR
1/2 lb butter and 1/2 lb lard, coconut, or palm kernel oil (yes, it has to be those.. don't use Crisco or one of those other hydrogenated vegetable shortenings)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
Colored sugars
Ground nuts
Icing
sprinkles
chocolate chips
chopped nuts
candied cherries
raisings
dates
Combine the dry ingredients and sift into a large mixing bowl.
In a smaller mixing bowl, combine eggs, cream, and extracts and beat until yellow and frothy.
In a 3rd bowl, beat butter and sugar together until fluffy.
Combine butter and egg mixture, and beat thoroughly until smooth. Gradually add 1/3 of the flour, until a batter is formed. Remove from mixer. Add flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing carefully with a wooden spoon between additions until a thick, uniform dough is formed. Turn the dough out onto a board and knead briefly. If you wish, you can add coconut, chocolate chips, nuts, cherries, raisins, or dates to the dough during the brief kneading process.
Roll the dough into 1/2" balls. Dip the top of the ball into egg whites, and place on a lightly-greased cookie sheet. If desired, the top of the cookie can be dipped in colored sugar, sprinkles, etc.
Bake in 375 degree Fahrenheit oven for ~20 minutes, or until bottom is browned and top is lightly golden. Cool and store in covered container.
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