Maple-Walnut Biscotti

When you have rad girlfriends (shout out Amy and Dottie!) it feels great to do nice things for them. And what could be nicer than sending a gift package of Maple-Wanut biscotti and Mexican Chili brownies? This recipe was slightly adapted from the King Arthur Flour site which has amazing recipes.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups walnuts, coarsely chopped, toasted
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 2 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Method:

1) Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line large baking sheet with Silpat.

2) Toast the walnuts by baking in a preheated 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes, till they're a light golden brown.

3) Beat together the eggs, sugars, maple syrup.

4) Add the melted butter, beating till smooth.

5) Mix in the flour, baking powder, and salt, then the nuts.

6) Divide the dough in half on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.

7) Using wet fingers, shape each half into a rough 10" rectangle, about 4" wide and 1/2" thick.

8) Bake the biscotti dough for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, and cool for about 10 minutes.

9) Use a sharp serrated knife to cut the baked dough, slightly on the diagonal, into generous 1/2"-thick slices. Place the slices close together on the prepared baking sheet. If you can balance them upright (rather than laying them flat), you won't have to turn them during their second bake.

10) Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, till the biscotti's cut sides are beginning to brown. Remove them from the oven, and cool right on the baking sheet.

Now send most of them to your girlfriends to avoid major Biscotti coma :)

Mexican Chocolate Chili Cookies

Well I made these because my hubby really like the flavors of Mexican hot chocolate. That is chocolate, cinnamon and chili. These cookies are FANTASTIC! Moist, chewy, intensely chocolately with a kick from the chili. Happy Husband, happy life? Is that the way it goes?

The recipe is slightly modified from the McCormicks spices website.

Ingredients:
12 oz semi sweet chocolate divided
3/4 cup AP flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp Ancho Chile powder (I didn't have this so I substituted an Indian chili powder I had on hand)
1/2 tsp Baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs lightly beaten
2 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Melt 8 ounces of the chocolate as directed on package. Set aside. 

2. Coarsely chop remaining 4 ounces chocolate and set aside. Mix flour, roasted cinnamon, ancho chile pepper, baking powder and salt in small bowl. 

3. Beat butter and sugars in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add melted chocolate; beat until well blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Stir in chopped chocolate. 

4. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons or medium cookie scoop 1 1/2 inches apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. 

5. Bake about 10 minutes or just until cookies are set and slightly cracked on top. Transfer cookies on parchment paper to wire rack; cool completely.

Stand back and wait for much love and adoration from afore mentioned spouse.

Katherine Hepburn Brownies

These brownies come together in a single bowl and are dense and fudgy. Just 2 more reasons to love Katherine Hepburn. The recipe is from The Joy of Baking website which is a favorite of mine. The recipes always work!! A pro tip here is to line the baking pan with parchment paper with large overhangs so it is super easy to get the brownies out. I would suggest eating them with ice cream and sprinkled with cocao nibs.

Ingredients

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup  unsalted butter cut into pieces

1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar (I used slightly less)

2 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla

1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

Method:

1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. 

2) Butter and flour an 8 inch (20 cm) square baking pan. Line with parchment paper for easy removal and clean up.

3) Melt the chocolate and butter in a large microwaveable bowl. Microwave in short increments, stirring in between, so chocolate doesn't burn. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar. 

4) Stir in the vanilla extract and eggs. Finally, stir in the flour and salt.

5) Pour into the prepared pan and bake for about 30 - 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. Serve at room temperature or chilled.