Orange Creamsicle Biscotti
Monday, August 15, 2011 at 2:54PM in Brunch, Christmas, baking, candy, chocolate, cookies, desserts, fruit, holidays, recipes, snack Yesterday, August 14th, was National Creamsicle Day, did you know? In honor of that, I made these Orange Creamsicle Biscotti. They’ve got a tasty vanilla base, with added orange zest, orange juice, and white chocolate chips. I also went a step further and dipped the ends in melted white chocolate, and sprinkled that with more orange zest. That step is optional, of course, but it adds a nice sweet kick to them. They were great right out of the oven, as well, without the extra chocolate.
I had trouble melting the white chocolate--it’s so temperamental! Luckily I had two bags of white Ghirardelli chips, because I burned it the first time in the microwave. Then I noticed the melting instructions right on the damn bag. Oops! Still, in following those steps, I had a hell of a time getting the chocolate smooth. It seemed to want to dry out, so I added about a teaspoon of vegetable shortening. That helped a little, but it was still so thick that dipping the cookies in was near impossible. I had to kind of spoon and “paint” the white chocolate on.
So--yeah, if you want to skip that step, it won’t bother me. Maybe just go for the dark chocolate that plays nice!
Happy belated Creamsicle Day!
Orange Creamsicle Biscotti
makes about 24 cookies
adapted from King Arthur Flour
6 tbsp butter
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp vanilla powder (optional)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
zest of one orange (about 2 1/2 tsp)
juice from 1/2 an orange (about 2 tbsp)
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2/3 cup white chocolate chips
Optional:
additional white chocolate for melting
zest from one orange
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl (I used my stand mixer), beat the butter, sugar, salt, vanilla extract and vanilla powder if using, baking powder, zest, and juice until it's nice and smooth. Beat in the eggs next, and with your mixer ant low speed, add in the flour. The dough should be smooth when done, then stir in the white chocolate chips.
Put the dough on the baking sheet and divide it in half. Shape each half into a log, about 9 1/2 inches long and 3/4 inches high. Straighten up the edges and the top--using wet hands if you need to.
Bake for about 25 minutes, and remove from oven. Lower the oven temp to 325 degrees.
Let the cookie loaves cool on the pan for at least 10 minutes. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut each log into diagonal strips. (If they're too crumbly when cutting, King Arthur Flour suggests lightly spritzing the tops of the logs with fresh, clean water in a spray bottle. Moistening the tops cuts back on the crumbs. I didn't feel the need to do this.) Cut straight edges, not wonky leaning ones. You want the slices to be able to stand upright on the sheet without toppling over.
Return the slices to the lined baking sheet. Bake at 325 for 25-30 minutes, till they're golden brown and feel nice and dry. Cool on a rack.
If you'd like to dip your biscotti in chocolate, melt the chocolate according to package directions, dip the ends in, and sprinkle with orange zest.
Store in an airtight container.
- This was my first time making biscotti. I always mean to, but other recipes get in the way. I shouldn’t have waited--these are incredibly easy! Aside from the extra baking time, they’re a cinch. The batches are all done at once, so you don’t get that “standing around switching baking sheets in and out of the oven” feeling. Very nice!
- They’re also super versatile. Add nuts, dried fruit, chopped candy--whatever you’ve got hanging around!
Reader Comments (10)
Ooooh, these sound fantastic Elle! I'm a sucker for anything creamsicle related.
These sound wonderful, perfect flavorings for biscotti, and they look lovely too!
Oh my... these look wonderful. Must give them a try.
I've never made biscotti either and never considered the pro of having it all cook at once...you've convinced me to give it a go! Cute, cute coffee cup.
Wow!! This looks really nice and easy..Saving the recipe and will definitely try it out..
Wow! This looks wonderful! I'll definitely try this!
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Those sound wonderful & I think I'd have to take your dark chocolate suggestion!
O. M. G. That biscotti looks divine.....
I can't believe that you've never made biscotti before! I love this recipe - the thought of creamsicle anything makes me drool in anticipation. LOL!
Wanna know a secret? To get those dough logs into shape, I slap 'em around with my icing spatula. ;-) Well, you know, it's not like I'm using it to actually ice anything!
Mmmm...lovely! I am a huge fan of the creamsicle. I came up w/a pound cake w/those flavors. Didn't think about white choc, though. Would be a nice addition. But it is a PIA to work with, isn't it?